Information about "child kidnapping" is false, school in Hanoi invites police to intervene
Education and training - Posted date: 06:48, March 25, 2023
On March 24, social media was abuzz with an announcement said to be from an elementary school in Hoang Mai district (Hanoi) about a child kidnapping incident at the school gate.
This announcement stated: "Currently, there has been a phenomenon of child kidnapping in the area. The subjects are targeting students, especially students who walk to school by themselves. Parents are requested to immediately strengthen measures to educate their children on prevention skills, heighten vigilance and coordinate closely with homeroom teachers to manage their children. If any students live in the same building, parents should let their children walk home in groups, and return home immediately after school. Sincerely."
Fake announcement stirs up social networks
Ms. Tran Bich Lien, Principal of Tan Dinh Primary School (Hoang Mai, Hanoi) confirmed that the above announcement was fake. "The school did not send out any information or announcement related to the phenomenon of child kidnapping as some images spread online," she said.
The information is causing confusion among parents of the school as well as the surrounding area. The school will coordinate with the police to clarify the spreading of this false rumor.
Ms. Pham Dam Thuc Hanh, Head of the Department of Education and Training of Hoang Mai district, said that there has been no report on this incident. If there is, the schools will definitely report it to the Department of Education and Training. Therefore, parents can rest assured.
In recent days, information about students being tricked and kidnapped has been abuzz on some parent and residential forums. Determining that the incident has caused panic and many consequences, the District Department of Education and Training has issued a notice that it has not recorded any such kidnapping cases to 39 primary and secondary schools in the area. This is to inform schools, teachers, and parents to feel secure but also not to be negligent or lose vigilance.
According to VTC News