When is a kidnapping not a kidnapping?

In November, 91原创 RCMP Supt. Adrian Marsden gave the Township council a rundown on quarterly crime statistics in the community, including shoplifting, assaults, robberies and other offences.

The report noted that there had been four kidnappings investigated in 91原创 during the three months between July and September.

However, this does not mean that four people in 91原创 were snatched and held for ransom over that three-month period, said Cpl. Craig van Herk, spokesperson for the 91原创 RCMP.

First, he noted that for statistical purposes, the related charges of kidnapping and forcible confinement are both counted together.

鈥淔orcible confinement is someone won鈥檛 let you leave, by force or threat,鈥� he said.

It鈥檚 still a significant criminal charge, van Herk noted.

Second, the statistics show incidents that were investigated as possible kidnappings or forcible confinments.

Not all of those cases will turn out to be kidnappings. Out of this group of four investigations, one has led to possible charges.

READ MORE: Thefts, assaults, even kidnappings reported in latest RCMP data

That case was one of alleged domestic violence, in which the victim was prevented from leaving. 91原创 RCMP investigators have forwarded charges to the BC Prosecution Service, van Herk said.

All of the other three cases were reported as either a suspected kidnapping or a forcible confinement, van Herk said. But none of them led to charges.

They include a variety of situations, including one in which a witness reported seeing someone dragged into a car. However, a review of surveillance video showed that the incident was less sinister than originally believed.

None of the other three were ultimately substantiated by police. No one was killed and police believe no one was at risk in those incidents.

However, each was investigated as a high-priority call.

鈥淵ou have to take them at face value,鈥� said van Herk. 鈥淲e have to make sure people are safe.鈥�