POLICE have moved to quash ‘Chinese Whispers’ that a child was abducted in Denby Dale by a man in a red van.

Rumours have been spreading about an incident near a park late last Monday, but police say no child was harmed.

Pc Sally Baines, said: "We have had several schools in the area contact us as parents are concerned about the incident.

"We are aware of this incident and it has been dealt with as best we can with the information provided.

"Unfortunately, news has spread onto Facebook and what actually happened has been twisted out of all recognition and parents are being frightened by what they are reading.

"Children were not dragged into a van, kidnapped or sexually abused – this is totally false and is a result of Chinese Whispers on Facebook.

"A letter has been sent out to all schools in the area which will hopefully put some minds at rest."