A BEARDED stranger was said to have grabbed a teen outside Highworth Methodist Church. 

Urging parents to talk to their children about "stranger danger", Wiltshire Police appealed for anyone who saw the suspicious incident to come forward. 

The force said the 16-year-old boy was walking along Vicarage Lane at around 11am on Tuesday, May 21, when he was approached by a white man in his 40s or 50s.

The man, who had a bushy beard, grabbed the boy by the arm. The teen managed to push the man away and run off, but was left shaken by the incident.

Officers said the man was wearing a knee-length green jacket, with a black hood or hat.

PC Sean Magee said: “Luckily, the boy was not hurt and did exactly the right thing by pushing the man away and leaving the area quickly to report the incident to his school.

“However, it is concerning and we are publishing this appeal in the hope that someone recognises this man from this detailed description. We believe he may be local to the area.

“We would also urge parents to speak to their children about stranger danger. This isn’t about alarming anyone, but speaking to children in an age-appropriate way so they know what to do if they are approached by someone they don’t know.

“We know it is exam season at the moment so teenagers are likely to be walking to and from school at various times of the day.”

Anyone with information should call Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.