Hunzenschwil/Lenzburg
Several children were approached and offered sweets: man stopped by police
The cantonal police questioned one person. It is still unclear whether the incidents in which children were allegedly approached are related. However, the Kapo warns against reports on social media.
Two girls are said to have been approached in Lenzburg.
Symbolic image: Michael Buholzer
The news spread like wildfire on social media. It was reported in various Facebook groups in the Lenzburg district that an unknown person had approached a child in the area around the school.
The news started in Hunzenschwil, where such a message was circulating not long ago. At that time, when we asked the cantonal police, they said they had gone out and checked the supposedly suspicious man. However, it was just a tradesman who was waiting in his car for a work colleague.
Addressed several children
This time the case seems to be a little different. The Aargau cantonal police wrote in a message on their website on Friday afternoon: On October 28th, they were informed that a seven-year-old was approached by an unknown man on the school square. The man asked the boy to go with him. “The boy wisely ran away,” the Kapo’s statement continued. She immediately began an investigation.
On October 28th and 30th, the police were informed that two girls (seven and eight years old) were approached by an unknown man at different locations in Lenzburg. They were also offered sweets, the Kapo continued. In some reports on Facebook it was also stated that the man had also offered a girl money; However, she ran away. Investigations have also been started in this case.
“The police have now been able to stop and question one person about the incidents,” it continues. However, whether the cases in Hunzenschwil and Lenzburg are related is now being examined. “Patrols from the Lenzburg regional police and the Aargau cantonal police are still on the move in the region.”
Beware of a hunt
However, the cantonal police also clearly state that they advise against sending private warning messages on social media. “The spread cannot be controlled and increases uncertainty. It can literally lead to hunts and uninvolved people are unnecessarily targeted.” She may be referring to the fact that a description of the supposedly dangerous person was suddenly spread on social media.
The cantonal police also write that there are absolutely exceptional cases in which children are lured into a car by being spoken to. “Such risks lurk much more in the social networks of caregivers who shamefully abuse the relationship of trust with the child.”
“Take your heart and gut seriously”
Swiss Crime Prevention has written a brochure on the topic “Your child, traveling alone – how to protect him anyway!” It says, among other things: “Fear is a bad advisor.” Experience has shown that perpetrators are more likely to approach children who appear insecure and dependent. You should make the child aware that he has his own personality with limits that he can determine for himself. However, it also means that children should “take their hearts and guts seriously.” If you have a bad feeling, let it go. And he needs to know that he can say no to strange adults. “Don’t scare your child, but tell him again and again that he is not allowed to go with strangers or get into their cars without your permission.” It is also recommended that, if possible, children do not travel to school alone, but in a group. (ewa)
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