From RCIPS

UPDATED: Fri June 30 2017

Update: Suspicious Activity Post on Whatsapp

Further research into the Whatsapp message that circulated on social media yesterday has uncovered that it is most likely connected to a report regarding a domestic incident received early Saturday morning, 24 June.  Early that morning officers had responded to a disturbance at an address on Midsummer Drive in Bodden Town. When they arrived, officers learned of a domestic incident involving a woman and her boyfriend.  The woman had apparently knocked on neighbours’ doors before the arrival of the officers; the man involved in the incident had left the area in a vehicle, and she then returned to the house.  The woman did not, however, get back into a vehicle; it was the boyfriend who drove away and the woman went into the house.

Police promptly responded to this incident, with an arrest made on the same date as the report.

We can confirm that there is no indication whatsoever in this incident that the woman was attempting to gain entry to the homes for any other reason than to seek assistance.

We do hope this serves to clarify the origins of the Whatsapp message and allay concerns it may have caused.  The 9-1-1 Communications Centre has confirmed that it did receive calls from neighbours that morning.   The original message circulating on social media provided no date, street name or individual’s name with which to appropriately search for relevant information about activity alleged.

We do encourage those who have information about suspicious activity to please report it to police and 9-1-1 so we have all the information needed to evaluate potential threats to public safety and respond accordingly, including providing the public with necessary and verified information.

Thu June 29 2017

This morning, Thursday, 29 June, a report of suspicious activity circulated widely on Whatsapp Messenger regarding a purported incident in the Newlands area (no street name or date was given).  The social media post states that a woman had knocked on a residence in the early morning hours and tried to gain access to the residence by saying that she was fleeing her boyfriend; when the resident said she/he was calling 9-1-1 to assist, she ran and jumped into a waiting vehicle and left.

The post then goes on to surmise that this may have been a ruse for robbers to gain access to the home.

Today, the 9-1-1 Communications Centre and police officers have conducted a search of calls and reports for the last several days and can find no report of suspicious activity corresponding to the circumstances described.  We would like to reassure the public that by all indications this appears to be a hoax.  Anyone with any substantiating details for this report should call the George Town Police Station at 949-4222 right away.

While this appears to be a hoax, it is still advisable that members of the public remain aware of their surroundings and take sensible precautions for their safety.  It is always advised that the public report suspicious activity to the 9-1-1 Communications Centre and the RCIPS.

It is regrettable that irresponsible posts on social media, as this appears to be, can circulate so quickly and cause such alarm.  It is always our objective to substantiate or disprove such claims as soon as possible, and advise the public in a timely manner.

END

IMAGE: WhatsApp