Bengaluru schools issue advisories after strangers offer chocolates to students

Bengaluru: Following a slew of such incidents, some schools in the city have issued advisories to children to be cautious of strangers approaching them.Bishop Cotton Boys' School has issued a circular after a parent reported that a stranger had approached a student near the school van and offered chocolates. The child refused, and the individual left when the van driver noticed him. "In view of this, parents are kindly requested to remain vigilant and ensure close supervision of children during arrival and dispersal times. Students are advised not to interact with strangers under any circumstances," the school stated in the circular.
The school has also instructed its security personnel to be extra vigilant and closely monitor student movement both within and immediately outside its premises. Authorities are currently monitoring the situation in the surrounding area. Additional precautionary measures are also being implemented to enhance safety, the school assured parents. It also asked parents to promptly report any suspicious activity to the school office.However, a senior police officer said they could not get concrete information on the incident. "We've been interacting with parents, students, teaching staff, and others for a few days, but no one claims to have witnessed the incident. Everyone says they heard about it from others. Still, we are increasing police patrolling near the institution, interacting with students and parents, and telling them what one should do on seeing strangers approach students," he said.Meanwhile, National Public School, Banashankari, has also issued an advisory to parents. "We had a parent report an incident near an apartment complex wherein an unknown individual in a van allegedly approached children and offered chocolates. The person left when others noticed him. So, we've issued an advisory asking students not to accept anything from strangers and to inform adults — the school, parents, or a security guard — if they come across anything like that. It is important we take caution," said principal Jayanti Nair.Apartments have also sent out messages asking parents to remain vigilant during student drop-off and pick-up hours. "It is important to educate children about what a stranger means. They should be made aware of the common ways a stranger might approach them, offering chocolates, telling lies like, ‘your parents sent me to pick you up'... It is also important that van drivers escort the smaller kids to the van if it is parked outside the campus," said Purva Ranade, a counsellor.