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Police investigate attempted abduction

18/ 7/2008

Police in north Manchester are investigating the attempted kidnapping of a teenage girl.

Sometime between 9.45pm and 10pm on Wednesday 16 July, a 16-year-old girl was walking along Middleton Road near to Heaton Park between Victoria Avenue and Sheepfoot Lane, when she was approached by two men in a car.

The driver asked for directions but she could not understand what he was saying so said she had to leave and began to walk off. The car then reversed and the passenger got out and grabbed the girl by the arm. The girl managed to break free and run away. The car sped off towards Victoria Avenue.

The driver of the car is described as Asian, about 40 years old and of slim build. He had longish dark greasy hair, which was going grey on the top, saggy facial features and was wearing a dark top.

The passenger is described as Asian, in his mid 30s, between 5ft 8in and 6ft tall, with short, wavy dark hair, of scruffy appearance wearing a dark jacket.

The car is described as being dark in colour, with a long bonnet and boot.      

Police are also investigating a similar incident on Monday 14 April 2008.

Sometime between 11pm and 11.30pm a 16-year-old girl was walking along Old Market Street, Blackley, when she was approached by two men in a black BMW saloon.

The passenger tried to grab hold of the girl, who pulled free and ran off.

The passenger is described as Asian, between 19 and 22 years old, 5ft 11in tall, of skinny build with a large bridge nose, wearing a black Nike tracksuit.

The driver of the vehicle is described as an Asian man. There are no other details.

Detective Inspector Mark Hussey from Grey Mare Lane CID said: "This latest incident has left a teenage girl extremely traumatised.

"We take incidents like this extremely seriously, but I would like to reassure residents that they are rare and people shouldn’t panic. I would however urge women that find themselves out on their own to follow some simple safety advice, such as sticking to well lit areas, not walking alone when possible and not to approach strange vehicles or their occupants if approached.    

"I cannot say whether or not these incidents are linked but it is something we are looking into. Rest assured both incidents will be investigated thoroughly and I am determined to catch whoever is responsible.

"I would appeal to anyone with any information about either incident to come forward and speak to police."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Grey Mare Lane CID on 0161 856 3240, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.