Dubai cops deny attempted kidnapping

A senior official of Dubai Police has reiterated that Dubai is a safe city and denied reports appearing in some local media last week regarding an attempted kidnapping of a Dubai school student by two people.

Colonel Abdullah Khadim bin Sorour, Director of Bur Dubai Police Station, denied the incident of attempted kidnapping of a Jumeriah College student.

He told Emirates 24|7: “The Police Station received a ‘missing’ report from the father of the student, but upon investigation it was revealed that the student had gone to a friend’s place without informing the school administration or the family.”

The Director of the Bur Dubai Police Station reaffirmed that “Dubai is a safe city, and there haven’t been any kidnappings of schoolchildren thanks to the efforts of the Police, which remains on patrol, especially monitoring places frequented by people, such as schools, shopping malls etc.”

The need for parents of school students to educate children about “stranger danger” was highlighted.

Colonel Abdullah appealed to parents to educate their children to report any changes in their usual daily schedule, and to inform the family in the event of going out with friends.

He urged children not to respond to strangers and immediately report any strangers who behave in a suspicious manner.

He called upon the media to investigate the truth and not rush to spread false news and rumours, which lead to a confusion and may unnecessarily upset residents, especially families and parents.

In a message sent out to parents, the school earlier said that “[a] Jumeriah College student, whilst walking outside JPS (Jumeriah Primary School), was approached by two men in a car.”

It added: “The car was a grey sedan with an Abu Dhabi number plate. The passenger began to question the student and suggested the student get in the car.

“The student ignored him and walked on – at this point the passenger tried to grab the student.

“The student acted sensibly and ran away and the man drove off.”

The statement added that the student is “safe and well”.

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