[UPDATED] A message from Tasmania Police

[tasadam]

EDIT - Updated - see THIS POST.
The information in this post is no longer relevant - see the updated post below...

Tasmania Police message as posted to their facebook page...

Safety message reiterated

Tasmania Police have reiterated a safety message to anyone using beach tracks or walking tracks, following a single report of a man acting suspiciously on on the “Whitewater” Walking track in Kingston yesterday afternoon.

It was reported to police that a man of dishevelled appearance attempted to lure a young girl who was walking behind her mother, towards the bushes on the side of the track. The man allegedly used hand gestures to signal the child toward his location.

There was no physical contact between the man and child, however the incident has scared the child and caused significant concern to the mother of the child who was nearby.

Kingston Police reiterate that this is an isolated incident, however, with school holidays fast approaching, we would like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public to remain vigilant while out walking, always try to walk with somebody else, stick to defined walking tracks and where possible ensure that a mobile phone is accessible and of course, report any suspicious behaviour to police on 131 444.

[icefest]

Ew, some people are messed up...
Thanks for posting.

[Strider]

Where is this track exactly?

[perfectlydark]

That conjours some terrifying thoughts....shudders

[Giddy_up]

Every parents nightmare. Find him quickly.

[icefest]

Where is this track exactly?

Here is the track: http://www.kingborough.tas.gov.au/webda ... 0track.pdf
In Kingston: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston,_Tasmania

[TerraMer]

Those Kingston tracks are also used as school walking routes. A walking alternative to a school bus where kids and parents meet the group as they all walk together to school. Makes me sick to think this is happening anywhere especially a track used by so many kids daily. I hope they find him.

[tasadam]

An update on the Tas Police facebook page -

Tasmania Police
Allaying Community Concerns

Kingston police would like to allay community concerns regarding an alleged approach to a child on the “Whitewater” walking track on Monday.

It was reported to police that a man of dishevelled appearance attempted to lure a young girl who was walking behind her mother, towards the bushes on the side of the track.

Police made thorough enquiries in relation to this matter and have located and interviewed a man this morning.

“The community can be reassured that there was no ill-intention on behalf of the man,” said Acting Sergeant Jon Remess.

“The man only spoke to the child briefly to indicate which direction her dog had run,” he said.

"The man assisted in our enquiries voluntarily and after investigation there is no evidence to suggest there was ever an intention of harm or ill-will."

Police take all reports of this nature seriously and would like to reassure the public that they are satisfied with the result of this investigation.

The safety message regarding walking tracks is still however pertinent and walkers are encouraged to be vigilant, keep their wits about them and report any suspicious behaviour.

[perfectlydark]

Well glad there was nothing bad going on. Must have scared the kid though

[Giddy_up]

Good police work and a good result.

[Strider]

I hope all the people that jumped to bad conclusions feel awful now (in the FB comments, not here).

[perfectlydark]

To be fair it was pretty easy to jump to bad conclusions due to the description of the man and incident..couldnt have thought it would be something so innocent from the way the police press release went

[Strider]

The media release simply stated the facts. Any negative connotations taken from that due to stereotyping belong to the reader.

[Nuts]

Ayeee. It's a funny ol world.

[perfectlydark]

"Acting suspiciously", disheveled, attempted to lure young girl to his location with hand gestures. Exact words used. Its pretty clear what comes to mind and its not a product of the readers imagination there

[Giddy_up]

I live less than 1km from where Daniel Morcombe was taken. This incident polarised a community into action and if there is one single thing that we should not shrug off with complacency, it's the protection of our children.

[simonm]

And if there is one single thing we should be aware of is that most children are preyed on by family members or friends of the family. Over the years I have worked with too many adults and kids who have had horrendous things done to them and I can't think of a single one which was not committed by a family member.

Edit: sorry to be so grim but it just annoys the hell out of me - to put it mildly.

[Giddy_up]

simonm it's a very grim subject indeed. To much of it happening in all societies around the world.

[icefest]

simonm it's a very grim subject indeed. To much of it happening in all societies around the world.

I'm just happy much of it is coming out into the open.

[perfectlydark]

Id be happier if it didnt happen. Nothing depresses me more than hearing of kids being abused and hurt particularly by those supposed to protect then

[geoskid]

Ayeee. It's a funny ol world.

Yep. I might comb my hair and brush up on my hand signals tomorrow.

[vagrom]

Drole, very drole.

[Nuts]

Not to take anything from that message (or the reaction), this one may also be of interest:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater

[GPSGuided]

All I can say is, LOL!!!

[simonm]

Not to take anything from that message (or the reaction), this one may also be of interest:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater

Not sure if that is more likely to be family . It's a worry though.

[tasadam]

Not to take anything from that message (or the reaction), this one may also be of interest:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater

I saw that too.
For anyone who doesn't have facebook, it reads -

Hazard Warning

Police have received information that hazards are being intentionally created on the bike track of the Meehan ranges.

Reports have been received that thin pieces of green coloured string are being tied between trees on opposite sides of the track.

Riders using the tracks said that riding from the top of the Clarence mountain bike track and in between there and the top of Belbins track, they had noticed the string (which blended in with the environment) and had narrowly avoided having an accident.

If anyone has any information in relation to this matter please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or your local police station.

[Travis22]

Ill admit that when i read the opening post, i thought exactly the same things as everyone else. If this bloke had been a pedo then id have said he deserves nothing less then to die horribly.

However in light of the second update by the police what can i say.. I wonder how on earth the incident was turned from a completely innocent situation where the bloke was trying to help someone, into what it did.

Travis.

[Strider]

I wonder how on earth the incident was turned from a completely innocent situation where the bloke was trying to help someone, into what it did.

Because anything to do with men and children, people unfortunately expect the worst.

[tasadam]

I wonder how on earth the incident was turned from a completely innocent situation where the bloke was trying to help someone, into what it did. .

A scared child, and an over-reactive and untrusting society brought about by too many scary movies on TV. Well that's my thoughts.
On the TV front, how often do you turn on prime time TV and find nothing but murder shows... People killing other people, sometimes followed up by the "drama" of a bunch of police work in one form or another...
No wonder society has its problems. And no wonder I don't watch much TV.

[Travis22]

We're on the same page.

Travis.