Dudley police warn against vigilante action after reports of children approached by men
Police in Dudley have urged residents not to 'take matters into their own hands' after reports of children being approached by men in BMWs.
Officers say early indications suggest the two incidents in Netherton and Merry Hill were not a case of attempted child abduction, but 'perhaps linked to other criminality'.
They have this evening warned of a Facebook page urging residents to deal with the matter themselves - and have said anyone to do so will face prosecution.
The Facebook post, published at around 6pm this evening, reads as follows:
"We are aware of concern expressed on social media since Friday, June 19, that there had been two incidents in the Netherton and Merry Hill areas of children being approached by men in BMWs.
"These matters are being taken seriously and investigated by detectives - but early indications suggest this was unlikely to have been an abduction attempt and instead perhaps linked to other criminality. We continue to make enquiries to trace the vehicles and individuals involved.
"We also understand a Facebook page has been created urging local residents to take matters into their own hands. Under no circumstances should people do so as they run the risk of prosecution.
"Abductions by strangers are extremely rare but we would always ask people to report suspicious activity to police on 101 at the earliest opportunity. Reports are always taken seriously and investigated based on the information from the accounts given."
