Queen Street abduction claims due to ‘misunderstanding’

Pictures of a car with registration plate visible were widely posted and shared on Facebook. The original post made claims that two children had narrowly escaped being abducted.

A police spokesperson said: “We have throughly investigated the report of a suspicious approach made to children in Queen Street on Wednesday evening.

“Officers have spoken to some of the children and their families. CCTV footage has also been reviewed. The footage captured the entire incident. We have also spoken with the driver of the car and searched his car. He was not arrested and at this point we do not believe that this was an attempted abduction or anything sinister.

“We understand the concern this type of report creates, most officers have children themselves. This was not a deliberate attempt on behalf of the children or their families to mislead. Misunderstandings happen sometimes.

“The children did the right thing in speaking to their parents and their parents did the right thing in speaking to police.

“Police officers are part of our communities and we work to keep people safe, particularly children. We hope that this post gives some reassurance.”