Man who terrorised schoolchildren wearing pig mask arrested for racism
Police hunting a man dressed in a pig mask who has been terrifying schoolchildren have arrested a man on suspicion of racism
Pupils have been left too frightened to walk to class after the suspect jumped out at them in the street in the street in the Barnards Green area of Malvern.
There are also reports of the offender - branded "Pig Man" by locals - outside Great Malvern Primary School.
Following an appeal, West Mercia Police confirmed a 55-year-old man from the town had been arrested on suspicion of a racially-aggravated public order offence.
The Chase School Malvern, a secondary school with 1,500 pupils, had written to parents warning them about the man and urging them to report any incidents to police.
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Residents have also expressed their fears of the man on social media and criticised the force for not acting sooner to protect the children.
Stacey Dooley wrote on Facebook: “Not only is it scaring children it's also scaring parents.”
Gemma Phillips added: “Someone needs to stop him! Very creepy behaviour. Police should be dealing with it not waiting. Ridiculous.”
An email said: "We have been notified by several students and parents of a man acting strangely outside school yesterday.
"The man was wearing a full pig mask and approaching students on their way home.
"The police are aware and are dealing with this matter, they are also aware of a video circulating on social media and should you have any more concerns about this incident please contact the police in the first instance.
"A message has been sent to all staff and students to reassure them."
Sergeant Christopher Day, of West Mercia Police, said: “We understand that this will be very alarming to the local community and parents of those at the school.
"However, I would like to reassure you that a thorough investigation is underway to ensure that we identify the individual involved and to establish the motivation behind their actions.
"We have also increased our patrols in the local area.”
