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Man arrested for attempted abduction of child on way to school

Arrest made for various offences as police ask public to desist from rumour and speculation

Police child PSNI stranger

A man has been arrested for attempted child abduction.

He was detained earlier today (Wednesday).

Police say the arrest was made as a result of information provided to them by the public and persistence from their own response crews.

This morning, St Mary’s Primary School in Banbridge had posted on social media urging parents to be vigilant.

They had said two children had been approached at around 8.35am as they made their way to school along Dromore Street.

The school said both had been stopped by a man driving a car who had initially asked for directions before offering the pupils sweets and money.

On Wednesday evening, the PSNI confirmed that a man was now in custody.

“He has been arrested for attempted child abduction, drink driving, failing to stop, report and remain at the scene of an RTC, as well as other traffic offences,” the PSNI in Banbridge confirmed.

Police have also asked people to desist from rumour and speculation.

They added: “Chinese whispers and purported ‘facts’ that haven’t come from ourselves do nothing but muddy the waters and make our investigation more complex. People we speak to have ‘heard’ stuff, rather than actual evidential witnesses. Others get confused about the difference between fact and rumour, and we then have to weed through that.

“In all cases, but especially ones involving children, we really need everyone working together to make this as clear as possible, rather than adding to complexity by sharing inaccuracies or speculating.”

Police say they expect to make an update on the matter on Thursday.

They have also appealed to anyone with information around this incident who has not yet spoken to them to contact the PSNI in Banbridge on the non-emergency number 101, quoting refer no 246 of 26/09/18.

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