A school has issued a warning after one of its female students was grabbed by a masked perpetrator.
The Arena Academy student was making her way to school on September 27 at around 8.15am. While en route, the attacker who was wearing a balaclava grabbed her around the waist from behind.
Fortunately, she was able to kick the assailant and run away. Following reports of the incident, West Midlands Police have launched an investigation, stating that the perpetrator was dressed in all black, masked, and was wearing gloves, Birmingham Live reports.
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While the student was not physically hurt, she was shaken up by the incident, according to a force spokesperson. Claire Killroy, deputy head of Arena Academy, sent out an email to all the parents of the school's pupils.
It read: " We were made aware of an incident yesterday morning involving one of our students. On the way to school a student was approached and grabbed by a man wearing a balaclava on Sandy Lane in Great Barr.
"The man was dressed all in black and the incident happened at 8:15am. The police are involved and we are in touch with them, if you have any further information regarding this incident or would like to talk to someone, please email me or report your concerns directly to the police on 101."
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We're investigating after a girl was grabbed by a man as she made her way to school yesterday morning. It happened in Sandy Lane as the pupil walked towards Arena Academy. She was grabbed around the waist from behind but kicked out at the attacker and ran off.
"She was understandably shaken up but not physically hurt. We've spoken to the girl and taken a statement. We’re trawling local CCTV and enquires are underway. Our schools link officer has attended the school and we've had patrols near the school yesterday and this morning for reassurance.
"We understand the man was masked and wearing gloves. Any witnesses or anyone who saw a man acting suspiciously nearby, please get in touch with the school or message us on Live Chat through our website quoting log 708 from 27/9."
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