11:53am Tuesday 30th June 2009
By Ali Dent
POLICE in Yate are urging parents not to panic after rumours that a child had been abducted were spread in the town.
Officers have reassured mums and dads that there have been no abductions despite the circulation of text messages on Friday and Saturday.
It is not known how the hoax message started.
The message read: "A child has been taken from down Abbotswood, Yate Friday evening. It’s swarming with police.
"Let as many people you know to be extra careful. Possibly connected to an attempted abduction at The Ridge School, on Friday."
Since the message was circulated, police have confirmed that The Ridge Primary School was closed for an in-service training day on Friday and there was no such attempted abduction.
A spokesman said: "Police would like to reassure the local community after a series of rumours relating to child abductions.
"Although parents are always advised to be vigilant there have been no such cases in the Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Staple Hill and Filton areas.
"Officers will always investigate any genuine report of suspicious behaviour."
Officers issued reassurance messages during the Yate Community Music Festival in Kingsgate Park on Saturday and Sunday and local Neighbourhood Watch schemes have been contacted in an attempt to spread the message that there have been no abductions in the area.
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