Police have advised parents and school authorities to be on the alert following three attempted child kidnapping incidents in the state over the past two weeks.

In the first incident in Kuala Kangsar on July 26, a parent had left her Honda Accord engine running with her two daughters aged 18 and six inside the car while she stepped into a photo studio to collect her photos.

Suddenly, three suspects drove away the car with the children inside the vehicle. The two girls were later found unharmed by the roadside about 10km away. Three days later the vehicle was found in Rantau Panjang in Kelantan.

NONE Three suspects aged between 22 and 26 have been arrested

In the second incident at Taman Meru 3C, Jelapang, Ipoh on Aug 4 at about 8.15pm, an 11-year-old girl together with her younger brother and three other friends were walking home after attending Quran classes.

On the pretext of asking for directions, a man in a green Perodua Myvi abducted the 11-year-old girl before dropping her off at Jalan Gopeng, Kota Baru, Perak at about 9.45pm.

Police have released a photo fit of the suspect ( above) who is said to be slightly bald, with a dark complexion, aged about 30 and 170cm in height. They are seeking the cooperation of the public to provide information leading to the arrest of this suspect.

School heads advised

In the third incident in Menglembu, Ipoh on Sunday at about 9.45pm, a 32-year-old mother had returned home from shopping with her three-year old son sleeping in the back seat of her Perodua Myvi.

Leaving the engine running, the mother had got down from her car to open the house gates when two men on a motorcycle rode up suddenly. The pillion rider then got down and dashed inside the car before driving it off.

The child was later dropped off with a Chinese family at Kampung Muhibah, Ara Payung, Batu Gajah, Ipoh. The child was later handed over to the police.

State police chief Zulkifli Abdullah told a press conference in Ipoh today that he has directed his officers to immediately contact all school heads to ensure that the safety of school children are given priority.

He also advised parents to caution their children from speaking to or following strangers.

The public are advised to contact the police if they come across suspicious people loitering in their areas.

He added that to avoid such incidents of possible kidnapping:

Lonely paths dangerous

  • Parents are advised to lock their vehicles when they leave their children in their car for short periods and top priority should be given to the safety of children.

  • They should not leave young children in their vehicles for long periods but take them with them. If this is not possible, at least ensure that an adult is left behind to oversee their safety if the vehicle engine is left running.

  • Ensure that the vehicles are locked before getting down to open the gates of their homes.

  • Do not allow children to walk alone or take lonely paths.

  • Advise children not to follow strangers in their vehicles or to accept sweets or drinks from strangers.

  • Children must be advised to be observant if they come across suspicious people and note details of such persons or the details of the vehicles such adults are driving such as the registration number and make, model and colour of the vehicle.