There is of course a lot of uncertainty among parents and educators: strangers talking to children has always been a horror idea.
A sharepic with a warning is currently circulating on WhatsApp or social networks.
"WARNING!!!!
Plain text for the screenshot (sic!)
There is a white, closed van driving around in the area (Steinfurt, Schöppingen, Legden, Ahaus, Heek etc.) trying to kidnap children. There are 2 men. The van also has a school bus sign at times and tells the children that the regular bus doesn't run would or tell them that they have puppies in the car
!!Please share!!
them
to the police immediately! Just run away screaming loudly and it’s best to never be alone when you’re out and about.”
For example, a warning from a Catholic kindergarten about the men in the van or van is circulating on Facebook
Police give the all-clear, but increase their presence
As can be read in a press release from the North Rhine-Westphalia police, Borken district , reports have been increasing since August 25, 2022 about the white or gray van with darkened windows or blind glazing in the vehicle color, in which two men were traveling.
This car is said to have been seen in Schöppingen and supposedly also in Horstmar in the Steinfurt district.
The police received several calls from parents, some of whom were deeply unsettled and who were extremely worried about their children. According to the police's initial investigations, there were no indications of specific crimes, contrary to what is portrayed on social media. Nevertheless, the police will increase their presence and continue the investigation.
Anyone who can provide specific information about the vehicle or the people is asked to contact the police immediately.
The police take such matters seriously, especially because they cause great uncertainty among parents, but also those responsible for kindergartens and schools.
Unconfirmed
As the police reported, there are no confirmed crimes. In principle and in this case too, the police advise people to exercise caution, even if this is difficult due to the rapid speed of spread on social networks.
The fact that the police have been alerted and are now increasing their presence certainly contributes to a slightly better feeling of security.
Many cases of warnings about delivery vans or vans whose drivers speak to children turned out to be false reports, such as: E.g. HERE or HERE . In principle, any initial situation should of course be taken seriously if children could be affected.
In this case, it's a good thing that concerned parents went to the police. Often only status reports are written on social media, which are of little help in the event of actual crimes.
Source: Press portal – Police North Rhine-Westphalia
You might also be interested in: Beware of the “water trick”!
Notes:
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