Police are urging the local communities to remain calm following widespread concerns over the possible attempted abduction of schoolchildren in the Conwy and Denbighshire areas.
DCI Steve Williams can confirm that an investigation is underway into an incident that occurred in the Rhyl area on Tuesday 29th June 2010 when a 15 year old schoolgirl was assaulted by an unknown male.
He said: “This incident is clearly of great concern, but I would like to stress that there was no attempt to entice the victim or physically force her into any vehicle or away from the area.
“The victim was not injured in this incident and is being supported by her family and members of the investigation team.
“We are also alive to the fact that there have been reported sightings of a suspicious male in a white van in the vicinity of schools in the Denbighshire and Flintshire areas in June. There are positive lines of enquiries underway in relation to this vehicle and the actions of the driver and again I can stress that there was no attempt to engage or approach any children.
“Police circulated the details of the vehicle to the local schools and shared this in order to increase vigilance and public awareness at educational establishments.
“I understand that several schools have sent letters home with pupils asking parents and pupils to be careful and I fully appreciate why this has been done and I am grateful to the schools for their positive action and assistance.
“I can definitely state that we are aware of the reported incidents and that the investigation team is focusing on such sightings and these enquiries are being pursued.”
The facts surrounding these reports have been widely reported on numerous social networking sites and rumours surrounding other similar incidents have been reported via text messages. Unfortunately some of these reports are known to be false and are causing unnecessary and unjustified concern to our communities and young people.
North Wales Police would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this specific incident on Millbank Road to contact them 0845 6071001 (Welsh) or 0845 6071002 (English) or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
