If you’re a Facebook user, you’ll not doubt have read at the weekend about two men in a van who were acting suspiciously towards a young girl in Ryde. Warning messages spread through Facebook very quickly, so Islanders should be relieved to read this message just in from the Police. Ed
A police investigation into reports of two men acting suspiciously in a red van in Ryde on the Isle of Wight has concluded no crime was committed or planned.
Enquiries were made after a member of the public raised concerns about the men’s behaviour in the East Hill Road area of the town at around 2.40pm on Saturday, October 2, 2010.
Driver stopped later that day
Police officers stopped and checked a red van in Ryde later in the week. The driver, a man aged in his 30s, confirmed he had been travelling in the same red van with another man, aged in his 20s, in Ryde on Saturday.
Sergeant Andy Gill of the Ryde Safer Neighbourhoods team said: “The driver explained he had been helping a relative move personal belongings from his former home in Ryde. They spotted an 11-year-old girl on a bicycle, which was the same make and model as a bike recently believed to have been stolen from the van passenger’s girlfriend. The driver pulled the van onto the pavement to take a closer look, and saw it was not the bike that they thought had been stolen. Further police enquiries have confirmed the accuracy of this explanation. Both men were apologetic for the misunderstanding and distress caused to the girl.”
The girl and her family have been informed.
No further police action is being taken.
Sergeant Gill added: “The police would like to praise the accuracy of the information provided by the girl. It was her description that led police to identify the correct van, carry out a stop check on the driver, and resolve this situation. I would like to reassure the community that there is nothing to suggest any criminal activity or intentions by the men in the red van. We are also grateful to the public for reporting their concerns swiftly.”
Anyone with concerns about suspicious behaviour in the community can contact police by phoning 101. From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, call the police on 0845 045 45 45. Mini-Com users can call the police on 01962 875000. Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999.
