Online threats and vigilantism won’t be tolerated – and could see irresponsible social media users in court themselves.

That’s the warning from police after rumours a couple had approached a child in Pulrose sparked a flood of comments and accusations, including people's names and photos, being posted on Twitter and Facebook.

Offensive, abusive and threatening messages left on the Constabulary’s Facebook page resulted in the original post about the incident being removed.
A different one was posted in its place, with further warnings to people about their online conduct, but that’s sparked even more comments.

Officers say it appears most of the information from the children who have been spoken to has originated from speculative Facebook postings.

They're asking anyone who witnessed the occupants of a blue car speaking with a child in the Pulrose area on Sunday, August 4, to call them on 631212.

Sergeant Steve Ward of the Central Neighbourhood Policing Team:
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