Reports of a vampire-style attacker on the loose biting innocent people in Birmingham were today dismissed by police as an "urban myth" which is spiralling out of control.
The Evening Mail has been flooded with calls from terrified families, community leaders and schools concerned for the safety of residents in Saltley, Small Heath and Alum Rock.
All have heard rumours of a man biting people in the streets and knocking on doors attacking homeowners.
It follows reports of a man "going on the rampage" in Glen Park Road, Ward End, biting innocent bystanders last month, forcing frightened families to call police.
Witnesses say the attacker, described as black and in his late 20s, had bitten a man walking in the street and neighbours who came to his aid, including a woman who had "chunks" bitten out of her hand. There have since been rumours of similar attacks.
But West Midlands Police insist that, despite the high number of calls received, it has had no "reports of anyone being bitten" and have put it down to an urban myth.
A spokeswoman for City Road Primary School, Ladywood, said: "We have had many parents coming in concerned because they had heard somebody had been going around biting people."
Nazar Hussain, a community leader from Small Heath, said: "I have had lots of people get in touch with me worried about this, including two local schools."
But a police spokesman said today: "To date we have not received any reports from people stating they have been bitten and this appears to be an urban myth which is being fuelled by rumours."
