Masked man seen following children around Great Sankey

Great Sankey resident Meg Lawrinson posted in a local Facebook group, saying: "This man has been walking around the Sankey area following children and staring into windows, please check with your children if they have been [near] him, police have been contacted."

The post was accompanied by a picture of a man in an orange and black mask and a dark coat, staring directly at the woman who posted the photo. 

Dani Pomfrett, 34, witnessed the man come up to her family and another group. 

She said: "He was just walking around. My family came from Reaper Close into Payne and we crossed paths. He stopped and we were very impressed but then he started to act odd One lady commented she asked him to remove his mask and he replied, “that’s for me to know”. And then made a comment regarding walking round with the children. He was caught looking into someone’s house through their windows

"One little boy was so scared he went home and didn't want to come out. I had to tell him the police took him away for him to feel safe to return to trick or treating.

"It was such a shame. After a rubbish couple of years for children not being able to trick or treat, they finally are able to, only for them to be scared to go out. Young girls screaming running, so I dread to think what was said to them. The police had informed us on the way back home that he had been caught and someone was with him until the police got there

"In 34 years I have never witnessed anything like that before."

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "At around 6pm on Monday 31 October police were called to reports of suspicious activity in Great Sankey.

"The caller reported a man wearing a Halloween mask who appeared to be following children.

"Officers were immediately dispatched to the scene and the children were located safe and well.

"Police conducted a full search of the area and there was no trace of the man, and no further reports were received."