Police dismiss social media rumours about ‘attempted child abduction’ in Milnrow

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

Equitable Street looking towards the junction with Station Road in Milnrow

Police have dismissed social media rumours about an attempted child abduction in Milnrow.

A post circulated on Facebook on Tuesday (5 July) suggesting an attempted abduction of a pupil at Hollingworth Academy had taken place at the junction of Equitable Street and Station Road.

The warning initially came via text message to parents from local schools in the area, which later sent out a correction.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed it was aware of the social media posts and an investigation had been carried out. After reviewing CCTV footage and other lines of enquiry, officers said they do not believe any crime took place.

Sam Taylor, from GMP’s Rochdale CID, said: “We’re aware of posts on social media referring to what has been described as an attempted abduction of a pupil in Milnrow.

“I want to reassure residents and parents that we immediately launched a thorough investigation and detectives have followed a number of lines of enquiry including meticulous CCTV checks and no crime or attempted abduction has taken place.”

The latest message is the third in the space of a week, as two similar messages claiming children were approached by unknown men in Smithy Bridge and Littleborough. 

According to the messages circulated by the schools, a child was also approached by an unknown man on Smithy Bridge Road when walking home from school on Wednesday 29 June, whilst the following day saw two girls of primary school age approached by a man in a shop on Whitelees Road.

The parent of one of the girls told Rochdale Online that the man had bought the girls some sweets and given them money, which they then mentioned when arriving at school that morning. Some parents overheard and reported this to the school, which reported the incident to the police.

The parent confirmed that both girls are okay, adding: “The police contacted me the evening that it occurred. They said they would visit the shop to view CCTV and would update me, but I have not heard anything since.”

Of the Whitelees Road incident, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester said: "This has since been closed as no crimes/offences have been committed."