Police play down prowler reports

Reports of two incidents last week involving black vehicles triggered concern throughout the community and led to a number of schools issuing letters to parents.

And as the PSNI’s Area Commander moved to reassure the community, there was further speculation of suspicious activity at a school.

In a statement to the Carrick Times, Chief Inspector Derek McCamley, said: “Police in Carrickfergus received two reports of suspicious activity on Monday 10th October 2011. In the first incident, at 3.00pm, a schoolboy reported that he had been approached by a male person in a black coloured vehicle, a conversation took place and the boy ran off.

“In the second incident, at 5.20pm, two school boys saw a black car stop on the road. Nobody got out and no conversation took place. The boys ran off. Police are aware of rumours circulating in relation to these reports and we would like to reassure local people that they should not be unduly alarmed.”

READ FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK’S CARRICK TIMES, ON SALE NOW!