Two attempted child kidnappings in Rochdale

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Crossgates Road, Milnrow

Police are appealing for the public’s help after two attempted kidnappings in Rochdale.

At around 4pm on Monday 2 October 2017, the first attempted kidnapping took place on Crossgates Road in Milnrow.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/112899/man-acting-suspiciously-on-crossgates-road-approached-12yearold-girl

A 12-year-old girl had been walking along the road when a white Renault Transit van pulled up alongside her, explaining that she could have a lift anywhere she wanted to go.
When he continued to try and talk to the young girl, she ran away from the van and reported it to the police.

The second attempted kidnapping took place six days later at around 8.30pm on Sunday 8 October 2017, at the Metrolink station in Rochdale.

A group of teenagers were at the station when a white Renault Transit van stopped and a man got out, opened the doors and shouted at the group to “get in”.

When the group of boys and girls refused, he asked again, before getting into his van and fleeing in the direction of the town centre.

A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and has since been released under investigation.

Detective Sergeant Karen Siddall of GMP’s Rochdale Borough, said: “The fact this man has tried to lure young children into his van is understandably concerning, and something that we are taking very seriously.

“We are appealing for the public’s help in gathering all the information we need to understand how these two attempted kidnappings happened.

“I’m urging for anyone who was in the area at these relatively busy times of day, or saw the van fleeing through the town centre, to please come forward and help with our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 1684 of 02/10/17. This can also be done anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.