POLICE have asked people not to speculate on social media after a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted child abduction in Skipton earlier this week.

North Yorkshire Police issued a statement today after rumours circulated the district on Facebook saying a man had tried to snatch a child from near Skipton Bus Station.

The incident was reported to police at 2.30pm.

The police statement read: "An investigation into an incident in Skipton on Tuesday, February 18, is currently ongoing and a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted child abduction.

"At this time, enquiries indicate that the man was not attempting to carry out an offence of this nature and he has been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue.

“The family involved in this incident provided police with vital information which allowed our officers to quickly locate the man they wanted to speak to and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“We understand that this was a worrying incident for the local community but we would please ask that people avoid any unhelpful speculation about the incident on social media. We will provide another update when we are able to.”