Police have reassured the public after a social media post sparked concern about a man dressed in black, wearing a balaclava, standing in a wooded area of Peacock Meadow Park and watching a group of children.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, February 19, a passerby alerted officers after spotting what appeared to be a large man lurking in the woods near Newnham, Plympton. He was dressed in dark trousers, a leather jacket, and a black balaclava while smoking a vape and staring at a group of youngsters.

A video posted online showed the man turning slowly towards the person filming him, pressing his fingers to his lips, and then returning his gaze to the children. The footage led to concerns, prompting police to dispatch response officers and a police dog handler to search the area.

However, after speaking with the children in the park, officers discovered that the incident was merely a prank. According to a spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police, the children, who were building a den in the woods, confirmed that the man in the balaclava was known to them and that the situation was not as initially feared.

“The children told officers it was a prank and not a serious matter, meaning no offenses were committed,” the spokesperson stated. “The call was made in good faith, and the person who reported it did the right thing by alerting us.”

While the incident turned out to be harmless, police emphasized the importance of reporting suspicious activity. “Fortunately, it was not as sinister as it first appeared,” the spokesperson added. “We always encourage the public to contact us if they see anything suspicious. The neighborhood policing team has been informed and will conduct follow-up patrols as needed.”