Parents who are worried are very receptive to such messages - who wouldn't be if they wanted their child to be safe - and share and spread them so that others know about them too.
However, it is important that parents or teachers contact the police immediately if they suspect that a child has been approached by a stranger in a suspicious manner.
The police take action in these cases and follow up on the information. For example, a witness called the police when she saw a seven-year-old child she knew walking to a bus stop with a stranger and crying. What initially looked like a threatening situation turned out to be a misunderstanding. The man in question simply did not speak German well enough to be able to explain to her that he was the father of a child with whom the seven-year-old had arranged to go to school together and whom she had missed. He had wanted to take her to the bus stop.
This matter was quickly clarified and turned out to be harmless.
Not every suspicion is confirmed
The police understand parents' concerns very well and investigate every report with great care. However, the law enforcement officers also know from many years of experience that, fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, the suspicion expressed is based on harmless facts.
However, if there is no concrete evidence of criminal behavior or a specific threat to children, spreading this type of news is rather counterproductive, as it fuels fears and insecurities - including among your children.
The widespread use of Facebook, WhatsApp & Co. in connection with the suspicious targeting of children is also causing anxiety among parents as well as at schools and nurseries, which can increase on a daily basis and spill over into neighboring areas. Many parents are therefore extremely worried in such situations.
Through the many conversations with children in schools, with parents, but also with each other, pupils are highly sensitized and experience everyday situations as supposedly dangerous.
A sad fact, however, is that most assaults on children take place in the social or family environment. The external perpetrator is rare - but it does happen. People think of the individual cases that are very present in the media, and naturally the thought arises that their own child is not safe.
What you can do
Instead of spreading potentially false information, there is another way to deal with this situation: take preventative measures and make your child strong.
Whoever is informed can also react correctly in an emergency - this also applies to children!
It is important that parents always talk to their children about the most important rules of conduct that they should follow when they are out and about on their own - including on the way to school, for example.
And first of all: children should not be afraid to call the police themselves in case of doubt. 110 - even the youngest children know this number. Don't threaten to call the police if your child doesn't listen - they should come to us and talk to us if they are afraid. This is particularly important for the situation at hand.
All police patrols in the Rhine district of Neuss, patrol car crews, district officers and civilian emergency services are sensitized to the concerns and needs of parents and children in such cases.
We have summarized the most important tips for your children once again:
- Get together with friends or classmates!
- Always use the same route! Because this is where you know your way around.
- Say loud and clear if you don't want something. You can also say "Leave me alone!"
- Don't get too close to a car under any circumstances. Tell the driver: "I'm not allowed to talk to strangers, please ask an adult!"
- If you feel threatened, you can shout loudly and run to other people for help.
- Running away is not cowardly.
- In an emergency, ALWAYS call the emergency services! The police have the number 110 and you can call them from a cell phone or the phone booths.
- If you notice anything strange on the way to school, tell your parents or your teacher - preferably immediately!
And we have a few more tips for parents:
- Discuss clear rules of conduct with your child and listen to any uncertainties or fears. Make it clear to them that they can say "No!" if a strange adult comes too close. Children have rights. Saying no is one of them.
- Discuss with your child which route they should take to school. Perhaps show them stores they can go to in an emergency.
- Agree with other parents exactly who is allowed to pick up your child from school or kindergarten. Your child should know that they are only allowed to go or travel with this - preferably small - group of people - without exception.
For further information, please contact the Criminal Investigation Department for Crime Prevention and Victim Protection on 02131 300-0.
Chief Superintendent Alexandra Krupp is your contact person for child safety issues.