Police have said there is nothing to substantiate a circulating e-mail warning of random acts of violence — including shooting, kidnapping and rape — at the Annual Exhibition.

The e-mail states in part: “Apparently some of the local gangs are planning on doing something at the Ag. show this Friday. The latest initiation for gang members it is said is now to seek out girls under the age of 12 and rape them.”

It has been forwarded multiple times to this paper and even prompted a Police spokesperson to take to the radio airwaves to dispel the allegations.

The Police spokesperson told this paper: “There is nothing to substantiate the allegations in the e-mail and there are appropriate security arrangements in place for the event.”

Security measures such as metal detectors and bag searches have been put in place at the three public entrances to the Botanical Gardens show and Police patrols have been increased. The added security is in response to a spate of shootings in recent months.

For the full story see tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.