Devon and Cornwall Police are investigating the credibility of a WhatsApp group which it is claimed has been promoting a so-called 'Rape Day' on April 24.

It is not clear at the moment whether the group is a sick joke or genuine but there are claims that a similar group on the social media platform Tik Tok had a hundred plus members from all over the world.

It is claimed that a local WhatsApp group has been set up to promote the day and has been joined by men from Falmouth. Police have confirmed that they are investigating the group.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Police have received a report of the existence of the WhatsApp group and are currently making enquiries regarding the credibility of the group.”

Messages seen by the Packet claim that members include students from Falmouth University and the 'maritime' area of Falmouth although it doesn't make clear where that is. There is no actual proof that this is the case.

“The group chat is supposedly made up of students, guys with knives at the maritime I’ve heard," says the post. This claim has not been corroborated or confirmed.

There were claims that men from Falmouth had been arrested but Devon and Cornwall Police said this was not the case and no arrests had been made.

The worried family of a female student at the university told the Packet they were making arrangements to bring her home as soon as possible.

"I have just been forwarded the frightened communications between female students who are advising each other of how to try and stay safe," one of the family members told the Packet.

"The event has apparently been planned for the 24 of April and the aim is to cross as many names off a ‘Rape List’ as possible on the day.

"I am horrified that students have still had no acknowledgement of this disturbing movement from the head of the university, no official guidance about what’s being done a) to eradicate this ultimate of threatening behaviour or b) to clarify acknowledgement of this disturbing development."

They said they were helping make arrangements to bring home a family member who is studying there "at the earliest possible opportunity."

You can read Falmouth University's response here

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Falmouth University speaks out over 'Rape Day' allegations involving students

The day was reportedly set up by a group of six men on TikTok who reportedly designated April 24 as a "national day" for carrying out sexual assault. They have claimed that on April 24, 2021, it's legal to sexually assault anybody — and they even provided tips on how to do so.

It's unclear who is responsible for starting the trend (or whether it was a joke) at this point, however, it has prompted a social media backlash with people outraged by the men's actions.

One commentator said: "All over the internet the 24th of April is now becoming called 'national rape day' and guys across uni's are participating. Some saying it's a joke, others not."

Falmouth University has been contacted for a comment.