Attempted abduction: Facebook rumours unfounded, Scunthorpe police say
Police investigating the apparent attempted abduction of an 11-year-old girl in Scunthorpe say unfounded rumours spread via social networks are "causing panic" and risk harming their investigation.
As reported, detectives are searching for a motorist who is alleged to have pulled over and grabbed at a girl walking in Annes Crescent on Friday.
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An e-fit image of the man police are hunting in connection with the incident in Annes Crescent.
Officers say it is the only incident that has been reported to them.
However, a number of posters on social networks including Facebook have speculated about other, rumoured incidents, none of which have been reported.
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A police spokesman said these hoax reports were causing parents unnecessary concern and risked getting in the way of their investigation.
He said: "Police are asking the public to be careful when posting what are rumours on social media websites.
"If you have any genuine concerns or information relating to such an incident please do not hesitate to call Humberside Police right away on 101."
The incident in Annes Crescent happened on Friday at about 3.05pm.
The girl was about to cross the road when a car pulled over. The driver is alleged to have grabbed the victim's arm - but she hit out at him and ran away.
The suspect is a white man who drove a black, five-door car, "similar to a Mercedes", with what was described as "a badge on the front of the bonnet that stood up".
He is described as in his forties with a bald head and a full beard, which was dark brown but greying. He was wearing a red chequered shirt, navy blue jeans and mirrored sunglasses with black frames.
Anyone with information should call Humberside Police on 101, quoting log 440 of October 5, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Comments
by deanodog
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 2:23PM
“Gordonio....You have hit the nail right on the head there. There are millions of people who use those sites that blurt everything out on there especially when they feel that they're having a bad day. They clearly don't realise that some people are watching their every move, including employers, and would be the first ones to moan if they got the sack because they we're "****ging" their employers off for the whole world to see!!They lay their souls bare on these sites. The one that I really hate is to see these morons "Checking in" all over the place. If I was a burglar thats the first site I would look at to see where the house occupants have recently "Checked into". What is that all about?? Anyone??”
by gordonio
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 11:53AM
“Sparks2400 and deanodog - great posts. I have never felt the need to enter the realms of Facebook or Twitter, a waste of time in my humble opinion, but it wouldn't do for everyone to be the same or the World would be a boring place.
Anecdote - A friend was offered a well paid job in London, but her prospective employers looked at her Facebook page and discovered she liked a drink, the job offer was withdrawn, maybe it pays to keep your own counsel on some aspects of your personal life.”
by crickfan
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 9:00AM
“Hazzers - and in not reporting it they would be very irresponsible. What happens if a child is snatched in a similar area and they had neglected to report it and thereby properly warn (not via Facebook which is notoriously unreliable) parents living nearby. I'm not a massive fan of the reliability of the police in minor matters but i'm sure they'll be all over incidents like this....”
by bonniebeth
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 9:37PM
“There are reports this evening of another attempt outside Frederick Gough School this morning. The staff have advised parents to this effect although they haven't told the children what has been happening.
Don't you think that it's the school's priority to make the pupils aware of these dangers just as much as it is for parents and the police?”
by Hazzers
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 7:31PM
“Just because it hasn't been reported to the police means the second alleged abduction is a hoax. Maybe that parent didn't want to report it because they may have thought their child had been through enough or the police are that inept and what's the point.
The councils mouthpiece was spouting on social networks that we should wait for an official statement.....An official statement from who? Father Christmas, the Glanford Park PA man or the driver of the No6 bus?
As far as I'm concerned the official statement came from that concerned parent who was good enough to raise the alarm that there was another abduction attempt.”
by Sparks2400
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 5:05PM
“Deano,
Another one is, "A lie is halfway around the world before the truth has got its boots on!"
Harold Macmillan”
by deanodog
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 4:40PM
“The trouble with these social networking websites like facebook and twitter are that rumours thrive on them. They can cause more trouble than enough. It's like the old world war one adage that the colnel on the front line sends a relayed message back to the general saying "Send re-enforcements we're going to advance", however by the time it actually got to the General the message had become "Send three and fourpence we're going to a dance". Thats what happens on these social websites. Everything gets lost, and changed in translation.
I appreciate that there are a lot of people out there that will be scratching there heads as to the monetary content of the saying. Ask your grand parents.”