Statement by TUV Westminster candidate for North Antrim and Mid and East Antrim deputy mayor Timothy Gaston:
“I am alarmed by reports that two young boys have recently be approached by strangers in North Antrim in what appear to be extremely suspicious circumstances. The fact that there have been two such incidents within a matter of days is particularly worrying.
“I am pleased that the PSNI appear to be treating this with the seriousness which it deserves and patrols have been stepped up. However, everyone recognises that the police cannot be everywhere and there is a need for parents and indeed ordinary decent members of the community to be extremely vigilant.
“I am sure both parents and teachers will be driving home the message to children that they need to refuse approaches from strangers but this is a time when there is an onus upon us all to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity and report it to the proper authorities.”