Rescue services

A new report has been made to the police about a man who allegedly lured children in Helsinki’s Laajasalo. So far, however, the police have opened a criminal investigation into only one case, the incident that took place on Thursday evening, August 8.

The mother from Helsinki who filed the criminal complaint said that the man had tried to kidnap her 10-year-old daughter. The girl managed to break free from the man’s grip by biting his hand.

The police are investigating the matter as a mild assault. The suspected man has not been reached so far, says the crime commissioner Ritva Elomaa.

The case is understandably shocking among the parents of Lajasalo. Active discussion can also contain false information.

Among other things, it is claimed in social media conversations that it is a man who has caused disturbances in the area before. About a man that “all” the locals know.

According to another claim, the police would have arrested the suspect.

– It is not true, no arrests have been made, Elomaa says.

The police made inquiries

Rumors about a man who attracted children also circulated in June and July. The mother interviewed by Iltalehti said that she saw how the man tried to pull her school-aged children under her into his car.

– According to the social media posts, it is the same person, Elomaa says and adds:

– The person who has been on the wallpaper and disturbed the area is not suspected of last week. It could have been ruled out.

According to Elomaa, the police have taken various measures in relation to last Thursday’s events, such as interrogations and inspections.

No criminal report has been registered for the events of the June-July fold. The police have made a preliminary investigation and tried to contact the parents.

However, according to Elomaa’s information, the necessary answers have not been received from the parents and so far there is only “vague information” about the case.

Weekend emergency call

The most recent emergency call about a similar situation came on Saturday, August 10. The guardian reported that the man had tried to lure her child into the van with candy.

A police patrol went to check the situation, but nothing was found. No criminal complaint has been filed in the case, and the case is therefore not under active investigation.

However, the police take reports seriously, Elomaa says.

– Such claims are really worrying.

In an interview with Iltalehti over the weekend, Elomaa reminded that an investigation request should be immediately made to the police.

– If it’s been a long time that you can’t notify your parents or the emergency center right away, then you have to file a criminal report when you can, so that we can track down the incident and the suspect.