Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police are continuing to make enquiries into an alleged incident in Porirua where it was reported a man had attempted to get a woman into a black van earlier this week.
Police have made extensive enquiries into the matter, however at this stage we have not been able to fully establish what has occurred, Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Middlemiss says.
“We know reports like this can cause great alarm in the community, however Police have received a call from an innocent person who was accosted by a member of the public, wrongly accusing him of being involved. We are also aware of social media posts encouraging vigilante behaviour, which is incredibly concerning.
“Police take matters like this very seriously, but anyone attempting to take the law into their own hands could face charges.
“We urge the community to bear in mind that not everything you read online is what it seems.”
Anyone with legitimate information about what occurred is asked to contact us via 105, referencing the file number 240827/3959.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre.
