POLICE have acted to reassure parents at a city primary school after fears a man seen hanging round near the gates could be a dangerous fugitive.
It was believed the man seen near Glapton Primary School in Clifton could be fugitive Ivan Leach, 47, who went missing from North Sea Camp open prison, Boston, on Tuesday, October 9, where he was serving a life sentence for robbery.
He is originally from Preston and officers from Lancashire Police, who are leading the hunt for Leach, have warned he should not under any circumstances be approached as he poses a significant risk.
The police say he is believed to have carried out a very serious sexual attack in Tayside, Scotland, since he absconded.
Crimestoppers is offering up to £3,000 for information leading to arrest and conviction.
The last confirmed sighting of Leach was at a Barclays Bank cash machine in Nottingham city centre at 11.13am on Saturday, October 20.
Police say they have no intelligence to suggest that Leach is still in Nottingham but they have stepped up patrols in the Clifton area to provide reassurance to parents.
Glapton Primary School did not respond when contacted by the Post but a letter to parents from the head teacher, Ruth Ellis, earlier this week was posted on Facebook.
The letter said: "Some parents noticed a stranger close to the Manor Farm Lane gate of the school on Tuesday, towards the end of the school day. This was reported to the school and police.
"It is believed that this man could be the person that escaped from the prison in Boston in October."
The letter said the man was white, around 5ft 11in, of stocky build with cropped hair and hazel eyes.
Leach, who also uses the name Lee Cyrus, has a scar on his top lip under his nose and two tattoos, one on the bicep of his left arm and one on the back of his right shoulder.
A spokesman from Notts Police said: "A man and woman did report a man acting suspiciously outside Glapton Primary School, and thought it may be Leach.
"Despite our inquiries, there is no confirmed sighting of Leach in Clifton, or even in Nottingham since October 20.
"There is also no intelligence to suggest that he is still in Nottingham either. We will be increasing patrols in the area to reassure people , but please continue to go about your usual daily routine."
Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
