Police are appealing for witnesses after a man allegedly tried to kidnap a little boy in Clapham.
The incident took place last Thursday (April 22) at around 4.30pm on Clarence Avenue, SW4.
The boy, aged 6, was outside his house when a man approached him. The man is alleged to have told the boy he had sweets and drinks in his van – at which point the boy ran off to tell his mother.
By the time she came outside the alleged kidnapper had vanished. She did not see him or his van.
Police confirmed the boy was physically unharmed.
Now police are calling for any witnesses who may have seen the incident to come forward.
The man is said to have brown skin and short black hair, and is thought to be about 5ft. 6. He was wearing a blue blazer and black trousers.
Detective Sergeant Mark Pascall, investigating, said: “Incidents of this nature are very rare and in this instance the boy was not harmed at all. Nonetheless, I completely understand the concern it has caused both the boy’s family and the community, and can assure local people that we are taking this incident very seriously.
“We are doing everything we can to identify the man described and urge anyone who was in the area at the time and saw a man acting suspiciously to contact us. If you were driving and have dash cam footage that may have captured the man described, please get in touch.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CRIS 1210094/21
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.