04 March 2008

Warning Issued Over Child Abduction

Police in Birmingham have issued a warning after a child was abducted in the city.

The 12-year-old girl was abducted by a motorist on Monday, but managed to escape unharmed.

The incident came one day after the attempted abduction of another girl. However, police have said that they are no longer treating the incidents as linked, due to the differences in the descriptions of the offenders.

In the first incident, an attempt was made to abduct a 9-year-old girl on Phillimore Road, Alum Rock, on Sunday morning. The girl was approached by a dark green saloon car around 11am and the male driver tried to entice her into the car, but she ran away. The driver was described as Asian, in his 30s and was wearing glasses.

The second incident happened around 8:15am on Monday in Sutton New Road at the junctions with Edward Road and Station Road in Erdington.

The 12-year-old girl had just been dropped off at school by her father and was walking along the road to a newsagents to buy some sweets, when a dark green saloon vehicle pulled up alongside her. The male driver described as being white, in his 30s and wearing glasses, opened the passenger door and pulled her into the vehicle and drove away. The girl escaped unharmed a short time later in the Nechells area.

DCI Ron Winch from West Midlands Police said: "These are two very serious incidents and we are appealing for help from the public to trace the persons responsible.

"After speaking to a number of significant witnesses we are now following the line of enquiry that these two incidents are not linked, due to different descriptions given of the offenders for the attempted abduction and abduction.

"We have been speaking to local schools in the areas and have issued the descriptions of the cars and offenders. Officers have given advice to youngsters to help themselves to keep safe.

"Detectives investigating these incidents will, as a matter of course, be examining CCTV in the search for further information. Patrols will also be increased in the affected areas to reassure members of the communities concerned."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on: 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.

(KMcA/JM)