Police issue response after "heavily edited" video shows officers visiting Walsall mother
Police in Walsall have issued a statement after disinformation circulated.
West Midlands Police have issued a statement after being accused of investigating a child for viewing a social media post, saying this is "completely incorrect".
It comes after a video circulated showing officers visiting the mother of a teenage girl they wanted to speak to as part of an investigation into malicious communications.
In a statement on the West Midlands Police website, they said: "We are aware of reports that we are investigating a child for viewing a social media post. This is completely incorrect.
"We are investigating after a complaint from a member of the public that a fake social media account had been created in their name and had been used to send indecent messages.
"The offence being investigated is one of malicious communications - sending indecent or grossly offensive communication to cause distress or anxiety.
"The messages are of an incredibly serious nature and have caused serious concern for the victim.
"Officers made a number of attempts to speak to a suspect, a teenage girl, at her home address in Walsall earlier this month as part of the investigation.
"On 13 September, we spoke to the girl’s mother at her home and explained we needed to speak to her daughter and recover her mobile phone as part of the investigation.
"The following day, the girl attended a police station for a voluntary interview, and the investigation continues.
"We are aware of a brief and heavily edited video clip showing part of the 13 September visit.
"The clip is misleading, and we have reviewed a 10-minute body worn video recording showing the full exchange."