There have been several cases recently of children being approached by adults in Tyrol. The police are calling on parents to report these incidents and provide tips on how children should behave in an emergency.
Sweets or baby kittens – these are just two examples that unknown people have recently used in Tyrol to attract children. Fortunately, every parent’s nightmare had no consequences in all known cases. The shock among those affected is still deep. The “Krone” investigated the most recent cases in Tyrol.
January 2022:
A post on social media is heating up people’s minds. It is said that there is a stranger in Matrei i. O. handed out candy. One girl was even grabbed by the hand and dragged away. It is said he bit the attacker and then fled. Police confirm a similar incident. Fortunately, no one was attacked or taken.
February 2023:
In the Zillertal, an unknown man allegedly tried to kidnap a ten-year-old child using kittens. The girl ran away. A search for the perpetrator was unsuccessful.
September 2023:
Three cases have been reported in Innervillgraten: middle-aged men with dark skin were said to have lured children to their car with sweets. At least one case has likely been resolved – as reported. Two boys also saw men handling “gun-like” equipment in a playground.
September 2023:
A day later there was a report that a man had approached children on the way to school in Lienz. He sat in the car and offered candy.
The plainclothes police also check the route to school
To respond to these incidents, the Tyrolean police patrol before and after classes. “It’s primarily about accidents. “These cases are also controlled in general, with patrols and civilian officers, and not only after such an event,” police spokesman Stefan Eder explained to the “Krone”. To sensitize students, police lessons for children at primary schools and school traffic education provide precise instructions on how to get to school safely and how to respond in an emergency. This happens across the board and in a child-friendly manner in all schools.
Many incidents are not even known, the police report
There are no statistics on how many reports of such cases have been received, but the number of unreported cases is likely to be significantly higher than actual reports. Searches are usually unsuccessful “because such incidents often become public on social media and among friends and people forget to call the police,” Eder said.
With every minute that passes, it becomes more difficult to find the suspects. Eder therefore appeals to parents: “If there are any suspicions, call the police immediately!”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
