SCHOOLS GIVEN ALL-CLEAR AFTER ‘ABDUCTION’ ALERT
‘SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT’ REPORT SPARKS DAY OF INTENSIVE POLICE ACTIVITY NEAR TWO CITY PRIMARY SCHOOLS
AN AREA of Cardiff was cordoned off yesterday for more than five hours after reports of a possible abduction.
Officers were called to the Pentrebane area of the city at 11.19am.
Chief Inspector Joe Jones said information was reported by young children to their teachers which was then passed on to South Wales Police.
A large police operation was carried out in the area near Pentrebane Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Coed Y Gof.
A police helicopter was also used as part of the investigation.
Lavender Grove and an area next to a field at the back of Pentrebane Primary School were cordoned off.
South Wales Police said “extensive inquiries” were carried out in the area and there have been no reports of a missing person.
They issued an appeal for information and said they wanted to identify the driver of a black “jeep-type” vehicle with tinted windows.
Forensic officers were also called to the scene, with one seen going into the block of flats on Lavender Close while a police officer stood outside.
A tweet from Pentrebane Primary school yesterday said: “All pupils are safe and well.
“There has been a suspected incident outside of school and the police are dealing with it.”
A similar statement from neighbouring Welsh primary school CoedY-Gof said: “The police are dealing with an incident on Beechley Drive. None of the pupils or staff are in any danger.”
Parents in a neighbouring school were also advised to collect their children after school instead of letting them walk home alone.
Cardiff council had said it was in touch with all the schools in the area following the alleged incident and that police were investigating the area in and around Lavender Grove which is adjacent to Pentrebane Primary School, Ysgol Gymraeg Coed-y-Gof and Holy Family Primary School.
A spokesman had said: “The schools have sent out messages to update parents on the situation. Schools and the council are continuing to work with police as the investigation continues.
“All three schools have informed the council that everyone is accounted for.”
South Wales Police confirmed that there had been no reports of a missing person.
Chief Inspector Joe Jones said: “South Wales Police is aware of the concern that the alleged incident reported this morning has caused in our local communities.
“Our priority is to keep South Wales safe and respond in the best manner possible.
“While seeing lots of police officers, as well as the police helicopter, in the area understandably causes alarm, I want to reassure everyone that it was necessary to ensure we conducted a thorough investigation in the most timely fashion which also reflected the seriousness of the incident reported to us.
“Throughout the day, with the use of specially trained detectives and local neighbourhood officers, we have made many inquiries including house-to-house, CCTV and vehicle checks, as well as speaking to a number of young children who reported the incident to us through their teachers.
“While inquiries are still continuing, I am satisfied it is unlikely that any criminal offences have been committed. I can also confirm that since the reported incident we have not received any reports of a missing person.”
Last night South Wales Police said it was satisfied that no abduction had taken place.
A spokesman for the force said: “We have now spoken to all the witnesses concerned following the activity in Lavender Grove, Pentrebane, today – and are satisfied that no offences took place. We would like to thank the media and members of the public for their understanding and support.”