Airdrie RCMP say social media posts about man ‘actively attempting to abduct children’ are false

Airdrie RCMP are hoping to calm the public after several social media posts emerged over the last few days detailing what were allegedly attempted abductions of area children.

The posts suggest that a “suspicious male” has been in a van near children. RCMP said in each case, it has been determined the people in question were law-abiding citizens who live and work in Airdrie.

Officers said they did receive two different complaints of attempted abductions on Friday night and Saturday morning, both of which are being investigated. However, RCMP said the circumstances and suspect descriptions “are not consistent.” As such, investigators don’t believe there is a single individual “actively attempting to abduct children.”

RCMP are asking anyone who witnesses suspicious activity to report it to them, instead of sharing it on social media.

“Much of the information that is shared on social media among community groups, though well-intentioned, is misinformed or misleading.”

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Airdrie residents can report crime by calling the Airdrie RCMP detachment at 403-945-7200 or by contacting Crime Stoppers.