Increase in attempted child abduction

[LeoEisor]

Has anyone else noticed in your local area an increase in attempted child abduction? Two near me recently in the past month or so with myself having an unusual encounter a couple weeks back. I just saw the billy murray post on daily mail which is scary.

I really wouldn’t put any stock in the Daily Mail story at all. This is still a very rare crime and you will be fine with basic safeguarding measures in place.

What was your unusual encounter?

No.
You used to hear far more about attempted child abduction back in the 60s and 70s.
Most of that was bollocks as well.

Oh god it's going to be the dog thieves of the next few months isn't it. Great.

Funny how they're always generically "eastern European" innit, these imaginary kiddy snatchers

Most of these reports are just small minded people trying to stir up trouble.

Most of it is social media attention seeking and drama.

No. I'd have thought it less common now with children given less freedom outside etc.

Driving slowly in a van.
V sinister innit, Jeanette down the Asdas told me.

There was 2 recently near me. We don't get things like that happen around here so it was a bit of a shock to hear

2 what though? Unfounded rumours on social media? Forrin men looking at children in Asda? What actually happened and how do you know about it?

Yeah, vans driving slowly down the road and stopping to try and ask pedestrians something are always dog thieves/kiddy snatchers and never the poor sod on his first day as an Amazon driver!!

Statista shows in the last 20 years there are about 1000 reports of attempted abduction a year.
There was a "abduction rates increase" clickbait article showing that in 21-22 there were about 50 more reports than 20-21. No shit Sherlock given we were locked up for most of that year. The info seems to be all about "reports" rather than actual abductions.

It'd be interesting to know how many of the reports were "oh there's a MAN in a PARK near a children's playground, dirty fucker" and how many were genuine risks.

Average age of potential victim 13. Motive usually sexual. Usually girls.

@CollieFIower actually trying to take a child from a parent in a busy shop screaming the parent took the child from her. It made the local papers and the papers. The same persons made multiple attempts over one weekend.

Have you got a link to the news reports?

Billy Murray's family are in Essex, I live in Birmingham. Someone shared the video on our community WhatsApp accompanied by lots of "omg" responses. I assume they are now on the look out for an audi from Essex on our streets.....

I would imagine the poster will not want to out themselves by posting a peice of local news.

Child abductions and attempted abdications are rare, but chocking when they do happen

There was one in our street where I used to live nearly 20 years ago, which knocked every ones confidence for around 5 years. 2 men got out of a van and attempted to snatch a 6 year old girl who was walking along holding her fathers hand. He fought them off but he and his girl were hurt. Police came round knocking on doors gathering witness statements. I moved away shortly after but I know people there were still frightened of letting children out years after.

I dont think they are more common than they were, though, except in international custody battles

I'm in Essex, January my daughter was out with our husband and a frail family friend in a supermarket, holding the friends hand, a woman took her hand and attempted to walk off with her. Police involved, nothing came of it. But other people when I mentioned it then commented they had seen things on facebook.

I want to know the people posting on facebook, are they contacting police too or just sharing so no one in authority knows/drama llama what ifs