This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/18/britons-hotel-cyprus-child-abduction-attempt

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Britons switch hotels in Cyprus after alleged child abduction attempt Britons switch hotels in Cyprus after claims of child abduction attempt
(35 minutes later)
Around 50 British holidaymakers have been moved from their hotel in Cyprus following claims that a gang tried to snatch children from the resort.Around 50 British holidaymakers have been moved from their hotel in Cyprus following claims that a gang tried to snatch children from the resort.
The tour operator Thomas Cook moved the guests from the Anastasia Beach Complex, near Protaras, after holidaymakers called police to report the incident. The tour operator, Thomas Cook, moved the guests from the Anastasia Beach Complex, near Protaras, after holidaymakers called police to report the incident.
Cypriot police posted a statement on their Facebook page that said officers were called to the hotel after tourists reported that a 19-year-old man was filming children on his mobile phone.
It said officers checked the man’s phone and found footage of adults dancing at a hotel event.
A Thomas Cook spokeswoman said the company was taking the incident “incredibly seriously”. She said she believed arrests had been made but could not comment on what they related to.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
A UK Foreign Office spokeswoman 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.”
Greg Letford, 28, who was part of a wedding party from Dundee staying at the hotel, and who has two children, told the Daily Record: “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.Greg Letford, 28, who was part of a wedding party from Dundee staying at the hotel, and who has two children, told the Daily Record: “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.
“Someone spotted what they were up to and stopped them. If he hadn’t been there those kids would have gone. One of the men got away and we heard the getaway car crashed a short distance away.”“Someone spotted what they were up to and stopped them. If he hadn’t been there those kids would have gone. One of the men got away and we heard the getaway car crashed a short distance away.”
Letford said that when the police arrived they took the suspects into the hotel, and a crowd of angry people gathered in the lobby, forcing the officers to escort the suspects through a hotel window to a waiting van.Letford said that when the police arrived they took the suspects into the hotel, and a crowd of angry people gathered in the lobby, forcing the officers to escort the suspects through a hotel window to a waiting van.
He said a member of hotel staff told him that the couple were Romanian and that one of them used to work at the resort.He said a member of hotel staff told him that the couple were Romanian and that one of them used to work at the resort.
Other guests said the couple were part of a gang who had been spotted filming and taking photographs of children as they played in the pool. Some of the gang were said to have worn waiters’ outfits.Other guests said the couple were part of a gang who had been spotted filming and taking photographs of children as they played in the pool. Some of the gang were said to have worn waiters’ outfits.
Cypriot police posted a statement on their Facebook page giving a different version of events. They said officers were called to the hotel after tourists reported that a 19-year-old man was filming children on his mobile phone.
It said officers checked the man’s phone and found footage of adults dancing at a hotel event.
A Thomas Cook spokeswoman said the company was taking the incident “incredibly seriously”. She said she believed arrests had been made but could not comment on what they related to.
“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,” she said.
“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.”
The 191-room complex, which also includes, 50 studios and apartments, is described by the tour operator as “a perfect family choice”. It urged customers concerned about future holidays to contact it directly.The 191-room complex, which also includes, 50 studios and apartments, is described by the tour operator as “a perfect family choice”. It urged customers concerned about future holidays to contact it directly.
An FCO spokeswoman 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.”