WORRIED parents have told of their fears about a van-driving predator stalking children as Cairns police step up patrols near schools in their hunt for the culprit.

Police yesterday urged people not to be alarmed, after confirming a man driving a white van had approached four children in the Edmonton area in three separate incidents since August 8.

He is described as Caucasian and the van is believed to be a white Toyota Hiace.

Parents who spoke to The Cairns Post said they were shocked to learn the culprit had been following students.

"Every parent's worst fear is that a pedophile will grab their kids," an Edmonton mother, who asked not to be named, said.

A Bentley Park mum of two teenagers said she immediately warned her children about the potential danger and told them to not walk around the area alone.

"It's quite scary when the kids can't even walk to the bus or to school in their own neighbourhood without the worry that someone is going to whisk them away in a van," she said.

Police yesterday patrolled outside schools in the area and were seen talking to one man in a white van before letting him go after confirming he was a parent of a student.

Officers said they would continue to patrol before and after school hours until they found the culprit.

Stranger danger lessons at Edmonton schools have been stepped up and teachers have also been put on alert.

Cairns Police District Crime Prevention co-ordinator Sen-Constable Cary Coolican said parents should be aware of, but not alarmed by, the repeated approaches.

"We are concerned about any vehicles approaching children anywhere, whether it's near a park or near a school,"
Sen-Constable Coolican said.

She urged parents not just at Edmonton to remind their children to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity
immediately.

"They need to report it to someone straight away, not two hours later, not six hours later, but straight away," she said.

An Education Queensland spokesman said stranger danger initiatives were taught in all schools.

"The highest priority for schools is the safety of the students," he said.

Police first became aware of the man when he approached two primary school-aged girls at Edmonton on August 8.

On August 19, another girl walking to school was approached and in the most recent incident on Monday a 13-year-old boy reported being followed by a white van about 9.15am near Bentley Park College.

Share this article