No Attempted Kidnapping of Students from International Schools
The Police have thoroughly investigated into the cases reported on 11 and 16 January 2018, where it was reported that students from United World College of South East Asia and Tanglin Trust School had been at risk of being kidnapped near their respective schools. The Police have established that these two unrelated reports were not cases of attempted kidnapping. In both cases, the occupants of the vehicles were trying to be helpful by offering a lift to the students.
For the first case which happened on 11 Jan 2018, the male driver had offered a ride to the student from United World College of South East Asia as it was raining that day. The parent of the student had been updated on the findings, and they were relieved that it was a case of misunderstanding.
For the second case which was reported on 16 Jan 2018, a female bus attendant on a school bus from Tanglin Trust School noticed the student wearing the uniform of Tanglin Trust School walking towards the school. As the school bus was going to the school, the female bus attendant offered the student a ride. The school bus however did not bear the name or logo of the school. The student declined the offer as she had earlier read a school circular advising them to be wary of strangers offering rides to students. The Police has since clarified with the student that no persons had alighted from the school bus to persuade her to board it.
The media had reported another incident involving a student from Dulwich College (Singapore), which purportedly took place in December 2017. The Police have engaged the college to advise the student to make a police report so that we can investigate into the matter.
The Police treat such reports seriously. However, we urge members of the public not to speculate or spread unsubstantiated information which may generate unnecessary public alarm.
Source: Facebook post by Singapore Police Force