Airdrie RCMP try to quash online rumours of attempted abductions

RCMP in Airdrie, Alta., are trying to quell an online frenzy of reports of attempted abductions of children, calling them well-intentioned but misinformed and misleading.

It started Friday night and Saturday morning when Mounties in the Airdrie, just north of Calgary, received two complaints of attempted abductions.

The RCMP say they are being investigated but the differing circumstances and descriptions led to the conclusion there was no individual actively attempting to kidnap children.

However, over recent days Mounties say there have been numerous posts to social media by community groups detailing suspicious encounters with unknown people and several complaints filed about a suspicious male in a van near children.

Mounties say several vans were identified and in each case it was determined "that operators were abiding persons who simply live and work here in Airdrie."

They ask members of the public to come to police with any concerns rather than sharing it online.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Police search for $10K wheelchair stolen from 84-year-old Calgarian
• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Alleged barbed-wire fraudster may have fled Canada, RCMP say 'good riddance'