COUNCIL staff handing out colouring books and crayons to children as part of a legitimate project were reported to police after they were mistaken for criminals.
Humberside Police were called to Pocklington after a white van was reported acting suspiciously, but it emerged it was part of an initiative by East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Sports Play scheme.
A force spokeswoman said that during the investigation, police were made aware of “speculation, rumour and misinformation” circulating on social media sites in relation to the incidents.
She said: “This is causing concern and resulting in a number of calls to police which, when investigated, have no substance in fact. Such speculation can hinder a police investigation.”
She said parents should remain vigilant but ensure their children are “properly advised” and that “rumour and misinformation is not taken as fact”.
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