A Langley resident was falsely accused of attempting to abduct two 11-year-old boys near a downtown elementary school, RCMP say.

On Jan. 30, the Langley RCMP released a composite sketch and description of a man who was said to have told the two boys to get in his vehicle near Nicomekl Elementary on Jan. 15.

That report had resulted in extra patrols and increased attention to the area by local police, including school liaison officers.

However, after the sketch was widely disseminated through the media and by local residents through email and social media, the man in the image came forward to refute the allegations.

According to Cpl. Holly Marks, the boys have now confessed that they made up the allegations as a form of prank. Police consider the man wholly innocent.

The two boys have apologized in writing and in person to the victim of their mischief.

Filing a false report to the police can lead to criminal sanctions for teens and adults, but 11-year-olds cannot be criminally charged in Canada.