A GIRL from Launceston is warning others walking alone at night to be cautious after she was approached by a suspicious driver, who repeatedly demanded that she get into his car.

Jade McCartney, from Launceston, was walking alone at around 10.45pm on the evening of Monday, April 8 from her babysitting job. She was walking back on a familiar route and with just a ten minute walk ahead of her.

Jade had only noticed one or two cars driving past at the time and so she ‘found it strange’ to see one car driving no faster than she was walking when she was in the Garcia Terrace area of Launceston, in between County Tyres and Tesco.

“He began to flash his lights and try and get my attention,” she told the Post. “I just shrugged it off as someone confusing me with someone else. So I continued to the end of the road and the same car pulled up and wound down the window muttering something. I didn’t hear him at first because I had my headphones in, so I approached the window and he said, ‘get in’.”

Jade was taken aback by the driver, who she has described as a male with a strong accent in a black or dark blue BMW 5 Series.

“I obviously asked if he was deluded and said no,” she continued. “His tone sounded a bit more frustrated at this point and he repeated, ‘get in the car’. He wasn’t from around here as far as I could tell because I’d never seen him before. He wasn’t English, but had a strong accent.”

Jade said the driver waited in the same spot for a moment as she began to walk a little more swiftly along the pavement, and then he pulled away as she ran up the road to her house.

“I didn’t catch the number plate because I wasn’t sticking around for him to potentially grab me or God knows what else. All I remember is that it was a black, maybe dark blue, 5 Series BMW with light interior.”

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said of the incident: “Police are aware of reports of a woman being approached by a man in a car who asked her to get into the vehicle.

“The incident was reported to have taken place on Gardia Terrace, Launceston on Monday, April 8 at around 10.45pm.”

Jade added: “I’ve honestly never witnessed anything like this before and I’ve lived here my whole life! I was so shook up when I got home that I posted on my Snapchat and Facebook, warning others about the incident. I did receive a few messages from people who say they’ve had similar experiences, but they just didn’t talk to them. They just sit there trying to intimidate people on their walk home and it’s disgusting, what this town is coming to!”

Jade has reported the incident to the police, who told her they would inform local officers. “I doubt anything else will come from it unless others come through and report it,” Jade said.

She is now warning others walking on their own at night to remain vigilant. She added: “The only thing I’d say to people out and about late at night will be to have someone with you or inform someone when you’ll be back. Always have someone know where you are! You don’t really think about it until it happens to you or a loved one.

“I just want people to be cautious about being out late at night around here! I wouldn’t be able to cope knowing someone was taken or hurt and I didn’t say anything about it.”

The Metropolitan Police released some stay safe tips for when walking alone at night:

Be prepared

Plan your route in advance. Carry a charged mobile phone and some cash, and tell someone where you’re going.

Be assertive

From the moment you step out onto the street in the morning, look assertive and act and walk with confidence. This will always make you appear in control and much less vulnerable.

Be aware

Using a mobile phone, whether making a call or texting, wearing a hood or listening to loud music, all affect your awareness of your surroundings.

Hide it

Keep your valuables including your mobile phone, other devices and jewellery, hidden. Remember, out of sight, out of mind.

Go against the flow

When walking on the pavement, always face oncoming traffic, as it will make it far more difficult for thieves on two wheelers to ride up from behind and snatch your property. But still also be aware of anyone approaching from ahead of you.

Trust your instincts

Try to avoid walking alone at night in places such as parks and side streets or any unfamiliar environment. If you do have to walk, stick to busy places where is a lot of activity CCTV and good lighting.

More safety tips can be found by visiting: www.met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/violence/stay-safe/