7 of 9 kids left with stranger

Children do not know what behaviour makes up a stranger and tend to believe stereotypical men with beards will try to snatch them, a Daybreak experiment has found.

Children identified an older, emaciated man with a beard as someone to be wary with and thought teenagers would not harm them.

Read more: 7 of 9 kids left with stranger

• Who's who: Help to reinforce the idea that a stranger does not always look sinister. A recent survey showed that children aged between five and eight thought 'strangers' looked scary or villainous.
• Don't go, say no: If your child is approached by a stranger teach them to say 'no' to raise the alarm.

• Plan ahead: Give your child your home, work and mobile numbers so they can reach you at all times and stress they should never talk to, accept gifts or walk off with a stranger.

• Time to teach: Teach your child stock phrases, for example if they are offered sweets by a stranger, tell them to say: "No thank you. Please leave me alone".
• Practice makes: You can practice scenarios with your child and have a conversation regularly about the dangers of strangers.

Click here for a printable guide from Daybreak of top tips for keeping your child safe

A parent who volunteered to be part of ITV Daybreak's investigation into what children would do if approached by a stranger said the results were a "rude awakening".

Natasha said she had not slept for two weeks since the experiment and has been much more vigilant.

Watch Daybreak's investigation into what a child would do if approached by a stranger

An investigation by ITV's Daybreak has looked at what a child would do if they were approached by a stranger.

The show recruited volunteer parents, whose children did not know they were being filmed, and a close protection officer, who played the part of a stranger.

Nine children were approached in a park by the 'stranger' and as Daybreak's Daisy McAndrew reports, a worryingly high number of them left with the man.

Watch Daybreak's investigation into what a child would do if approached by a stranger.