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Thomas Cook moves holidaymakers out of Cyprus hotel after 'snatchers target children' Thomas Cook moves holidaymakers out of Cyprus hotel after 'snatchers target children'
(about 5 hours later)
Dozens of British and Irish holidymakers have been moved out of hotel in Cyprus, after reports that a gang dressed as waiters tried to snatch children. Dozens of British and Irish holidaymakers have been moved out of a hotel in Cyprus, after reports that a gang dressed as waiters tried to snatch children.
The alleged child-snatchers were reportedly seen trying to lure three children, all under 10, into cars - prompting tour operator Thomas Cook to relocate 60 concerned customers to other hotels or to fly them home. The alleged child-snatchers were reportedly seen trying to lure three children, all under 10, into cars - prompting tour operator Thomas Cook to relocate up to 50 concerned customers to other hotels or to fly them home.
It happened at Anastasia Beach Complex, near Protaras on the island's east coast, the Daily Record reported.It happened at Anastasia Beach Complex, near Protaras on the island's east coast, the Daily Record reported.
Greg Letford, 28, who was staying at the hotel with his children, told the newspaper that the snatchers, who staff claimed were Romanian, targeted the children on Tuesday evening. However, Cypriot police said that there had been a misunderstanding by holidaymakers and the media. They arrested a 19-year-old Bulgarian man but there was nothing to suggest that he was part of a child-abducting gang, a spokeswoman said.
"This Romanian couple were leading the two young children towards a waiting car, another person had a third child up against a wall ready to go, too. A beach in Cyprus
Greg Letford, 28, who was staying at the hotel with his two children, told the Record that the snatchers, who staff claimed were Romanian, targeted the children on Tuesday evening.
"This Romanian couple were leading the two young children towards a waiting car, another person had a third child up against a wall ready to go, too," he said.
"Someone spotted what they were up to and stopped them. If he hadn’t been there those kids would have gone.""Someone spotted what they were up to and stopped them. If he hadn’t been there those kids would have gone."
A man and a woman were accosted by hotel staff and handed over to police, while another man is reported to have escaped.A man and a woman were accosted by hotel staff and handed over to police, while another man is reported to have escaped.
A group of up to 10 people was seen by holidaymakers scoping out the hotel, filming and taking photos in the week leading up to the arrests.A group of up to 10 people was seen by holidaymakers scoping out the hotel, filming and taking photos in the week leading up to the arrests.
Some were said to be dressed as waiters in an apparent attempt to blend in.Some were said to be dressed as waiters in an apparent attempt to blend in.
A beach in Cyprus Thomas Cook moved some holidaymakers to other hotels and provided others with flights home. Thomas Cook moved some holidaymakers to other hotels and provided others with flights home.
A Thomas Cook spokeswoman said: “The safety and welfare of our customers is always our first priority and upon hearing about the incident, we immediately deployed our experienced resort team to the property to provide those customers in residence with individual support. A spokeswoman said the safety and welfare of our customers "is always our first priority" - and said while incidents of this nature were extremely rare, it was being taken "incredibly seriously".
"Customers who did not wish to stay at the property were immediately moved to alternative hotels of a similar or higher standard.
"While incidents of this nature are extremely rare, we would like to reassure all customers that this is being taken incredibly seriously and we are continuing to work closely with the local authorities and the hotel as the investigation continues.
"Any customers with concerns about future holidays at this hotel are asked to contact us directly so that we can deal with them personally and directly.”
A spokesman for Cypriot Police told the Record that a 19-year-old man had been “attacked” by 50 or 60 holidaymakers - after he was seen filming a show at the hotel - and officers had to remove him for his own safety following the "misunderstanding".A spokesman for Cypriot Police told the Record that a 19-year-old man had been “attacked” by 50 or 60 holidaymakers - after he was seen filming a show at the hotel - and officers had to remove him for his own safety following the "misunderstanding".
And Nikoletta Tyrimou, a police spokeswoman, told the Cyprus Mail: "Police officers arrested a 19-year-old man from Bulgaria who holidaymakers said had been filming their children and was trying to abduct them.
"We questioned the suspect, went through his phone and also searched his home. Nothing we found suggests that he is part of a child-abducting gang or that he was stalking children.
"He has since been released while police take statements from all those present at the scene. The investigation is still ongoing but I assure you that it did not happen the way it was reported in the press."
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: "Our consular officers provided advice and support to the family involved following this concerning incident.
"This is now a matter for the local police who are investigating."