'Bogus’ text to parents alarmist: police

A text message that has been circulating among Bunbury parents about an attempted abduction has been called irresponsible and alarmist by Bunbury police.

The message said a young girl had escaped being assaulted by an older male in the female toilets of the Eaton Fair Shopping Centre.

It said the matter had been reported to police, but the alleged offender got away.

The message also prompted parents to continue circulating the message and forward it to other parents.

However, Bunbury police have confirmed that there were no reports of an attempted assault of this type in Eaton.

Police also contacted management at Eaton Fair Shopping Centre who also did not know about any attempted assault.

Officer-in-charge of Bunbury police station Sen. Sgt Brett Cassidy said the message was bogus and warned parents to disregard it.

‘‘It just creates heartache and panic,’’ he said.

He said one concerned parent rang the police station worried about the report of the attempted assault.

‘‘This is irresponsible and alarmist.

''If you receive these types of texts, report it to police,’’ he said.

Sen. Sgt Cassidy also said these types of phony messages caused panic and wasted police time.

Kingston Primary School principal Alan Kidd said no parents at his school had approached staff about the text message chain.

Mr Kidd said that over the past three years, there had been a report of a man in a white van trying to entice children into his car in the Greater Bunbury area, but he had not heard of any attempted abduction at Eaton Fair Shopping Centre.

He said awareness of strangers was taught in all schools through their curriculum.

‘‘We mention stranger danger at most assemblies,’’ Mr Kidd said.