How do the police react to such tips?
When children tell their parents about a strange situation or an unusual approach, most parents' alarm bells start ringing. In such cases, it is advisable to contact the police.
The police always take such reports seriously and investigate them with the utmost care.
In fact, in the vast majority of cases, the situation is resolved after the initial investigation. Very often it can be determined that it was a harmless incident that only looked strange at first glance. In some cases, it turns out afterwards that the children describe the situation to their parents differently than it actually happened. It is often the case that children mix what they have actually experienced with other sources (stories/films, etc.) and then believe this to be true. These are therefore not lies, but normal child behavior. In all these cases, we as police speak of a non-concrete danger.
However, if a situation cannot be clarified, our investigations are continued intensively. In particular, a description of the person or vehicle is then relevant for us.
What are the effects of spreading such reports on social media?
When suspected cases are spread on social media, including messenger services, the whole thing takes on uncontrollable proportions. Parents react extremely sensitively to the news that a child may have been targeted and want to warn their friends and acquaintances.
But be careful! This could trigger an avalanche.
Because the number of people reading these warnings is increasing exorbitantly. The spread is so rapid that the effects are unmanageable. The problem is that children, parents and educators suddenly fear danger everywhere and even everyday occurrences are then classified as potentially dangerous.
The number of reports of children suddenly being approached everywhere is increasing rapidly.
The phones at the police station then never stop ringing. Situations are reported to the police in which children have run home crying because a man has walked behind them at some distance. The child was not aware that this man lived in the street and only wanted to go home. The child has mixed up an actual event with what he heard and concluded from this that the man was following him. This is why sensitive questioning of the children is immensely important.
Taking the children seriously and asking them specifically about what actually happened is the task of our investigators.
Even in cases in which the police continue to investigate, uncontrolled dissemination does not make sense. This is because the radius of dissemination does not correspond to the possible radius of activity of a suspected person. If you want to warn other parents in such cases, please do so in person but never via social media or messenger services.
You can trust that the police will do everything they can to clear up such suspicious cases.
In the course of uncontrolled dissemination, the information changes according to the "silent post principle". This makes it more difficult for the police to clarify the actual facts of the case.
Talk to your children but don't be scared!
These stories are also spread among children. Children realize more than adults sometimes think. It is important to explain to them how they should behave if they are approached by strangers. If your child describes a situation to you, take your child seriously and ask them exactly what really happened. Other children's stories are often described as their own experiences.
If you are unsure, please inform the police immediately.