A woman has been taken into custody after allegedly making false claims of a gang rape incident that circulated widely on social media. The woman, in her twenties, asserted on Facebook that she was assaulted by four men in tracksuits at Milton Regis Recreation Ground near Sittingbourne around 9 pm last Saturday. The post gained traction in local groups, including the Gossip Board of Sittingbourne, which boasts 46,000 members, encouraging individuals with any information to come forward.
Authorities apprehended the woman on Wednesday and transported her to the local police station for interrogation. Following questioning, she was released on bail as the investigation continues. Law enforcement clarified that they were not directly informed about the purported assault but initiated an investigation based on the online allegation, ultimately finding no substantiating evidence of the incident.
Chief Inspector Vanessa Foster of the Swale district emphasized the seriousness with which such allegations are treated, noting that despite the absence of a direct report to the police, preliminary inquiries were conducted. The woman, in her twenties, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of fabricating a police report and has been granted bail pending further investigations.
Foster assured the community that reports of sexual assault and rape are treated with gravity, pledging thorough investigations and support for victims.