An SDLP Assembly member has called for vigilance in her constituency after a man approached her 10-year-old daughter as she walked home from school.
Ms Patricia Lewsley issued the warning to parents and children in the Dunmurry area of south-west Belfast when her daughter and friend complained that they were followed returning from school.
The girls were unharmed but "extremely frightened" according to Ms Lewsley, who said the episode was "every mother’s worst nightmare".
"My daughter had the good sense to run away from this man when he approached her. It is extremely important that other children know never to talk or go away with strangers under any circumstances", she said.