The police are investigating a slew of online reports about
alleged child kidnapping attempts in Singapore.
Four allegations were reported by anxious parents on the
Internet in the past two week. The reports detailed how men and
women had tried to lure children away or manhandle them or their
strollers.
A police spokesman told The Straits Times that all reports are
being taken seriously, and that officers are appealing for
information.
He said the police will spare no effort to ascertain the
veracity of these claims. He also advised the public not to be
alarmed.
In the latest incident, a Facebook user said a Chinese woman had
tried to abduct her five-year-old niece near a Bukit Panjang
community centre.
On Tuesday, another Facebook user said a Chinese man tried to
abduct her young son at Northpoint mall in Yishun.
The mother said the man grabbed one handle of the stroller while
she was looking at a baby spa at the mall. Her maid was holding
onto the other handle.
He left only after she turned and glared at him, she said.
Last Friday, a grandmother told the police that a woman had
tried to lure her 10-year-old grandson into a van outside his
school in Simei Street 5.
The woman said she had mistaken the boy for someone else after
the grandmother confronted her.
In the last incident, Ms Allison Goon posted on Facebook on
March 18 that a woman had tried to abduct her son at Ang Mo Kio Hub
by taking his hand and leading him away.
The woman claimed to have mistaken the boy for another when
confronted.
Parents and caregivers can ensure that children are kept
safe with these safety tips:
- Ensure that their children are accompanied at all times and
not let out of sight
- Teach children not to follow strangers.
- Childcare centres and pre-schools are advised to ensure that
only the rightful parents or appointed guardians of children are
allowed to come into contact with them.
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