Unidentified man attempted to enter childcare centre in Aljunied

SINGAPORE - A man who was seen loitering around a child care centre in Aljunied Crescent has tried to enter its premises.

The same man was earlier seen trying to hug a little girl at a nearby playground, who attends the same child care centre. Her father had alerted the child care centre to the hugging incident.

These occasions, which occurred in mid-February, has led to heightened awareness at the child care centre and among parents who send their children there.

Shin Min Daily News reported that the Pu Ti Child Care Centre issued a notice on March 4 to advise parents to be on the alert for suspicious-looking characters hanging around its premises. A police report was also made.

The notice, which was signed off by the centre's principal, said:

An unfamiliar man approached our Centre asking to enter our premise to interact with children on 18th February 2014, in the evening at around 6.40pm. We denied his entrance and with the help of a parent, he was being asked to leave.

On a separate occasion last week, a father brought his child to the playground after pick up at around 6pm. He met the same man & the man tried to hug his daughter. As the child is currently an existing student, the father shared his encounter with us.

I have alerted the police and they will be stepping up patrol around the area. Below is a brief description of the man:

- very tall, at least 1.8m,

- medium built,

- very tanned,

- has a slightly protruding beer belly,

- can speak fluent mandarin & hokkien,

- smelt of alcohol

As a preventive measure, we have ceased outdoor play for Nursery children & reduced outdoor play sessions for Kindergarteners until further notice.

Please speak to your children to refrain from interacting with strangers. Do alert us if you have similar experiences."