Children photographed without consent at Lethbridge playgrounds: police

Lethbridge police are warning the public about a suspicious man after two separate reports of someone taking photos of children at playgrounds.

On Sunday, police responded to a report of a man who appeared to be taking pictures of children at a playground along the 1300 block of Lakemount Boulevard South.

The person who called police said the man was acting “weird” and angling his phone in such a way as to record the children at play.

On Wednesday, police got another call about a similar man taking photos of children in a school playground along Mildred Dobbs Boulevard North.

Police say the man was seen pretending to take selfies but would then tip his phone to photograph the children. When a child called out to their peers that the man was taking photos of them, police say he ran away.

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The man is described as being in his 20s. Police say they are making the public aware as a precaution.

“While it is not a criminal offence to take photos in a public place, the man’s conduct in two city playgrounds is deemed suspicious and his intentions are unknown,” police said in a statement.

Anyone who sees suspicious activity is asked to call police immediately at 403-328-4444.