A WOMAN has apologised for posting photographs online of a man she wrongly accused of attempting to abduct children in Dudley.

Police have received numerous reports of attempted child abductions and suspicious incidents where children were approached by a dark blue or black BMW in and around the town over the last few weeks.

Photographs of a man in a black BMW were posted on Facebook, with an accompanying message stating he was behind the abduction attempts and urging people to share the post.

However a spokesman for Dudley police said the man was not involved in any child abduction offences, adding: "Officers have spoken to the woman responsible for posting Facebook images of a man in a black BMW who she mistakenly believed was involved in child abduction attempts.

"She is extremely sorry for her actions; she did this without malice and in a bid to be vigilant and help warn other parents.

"Officers explained that her actions caused significant issues for the individual concerned and was so serious it could have led to her being prosecuted."

The spokesman continued: "However, it was deemed that the best course of action was to warn her and not to prosecute – which both parties accept.

"The episode has again highlighted the distress that unfounded allegations posted on social media sites can cause."

Lengthy police enquiries found no evidence to suggest anyone was trying to abduct children, with the spokesman adding: "Instead, it appears the cause of suspicious activity was street level drug dealing, where offenders were approaching young people in the area.

“Please be assured that we are working to tackle this drug crime."

Anyone has any information that could help police should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.