Attempted Abduction of Elthorne Schoolgirl

Serious Crime Squad investigating

Police are appealing for information after reports that a man attempted to abduct an 11 year old schoolgirl on her way home from Elthorne High.

The incident happened in the afternoon last Thursday (23rd September) at Woodstock/ Raymond Avenue W13.

Police say the 11 year old was chased down Woodstock Avenue, W13 by a man in his late thirties. The girl had earlier seen this man on the corner of Seward Road as she walked with a friend.  At around 1755hrs she was walking along Woodstock Avenue when she saw the same man again.

This time he got out of an orange van and was standing on the pavement and shouted at her to wait. He then shouted that she should join him in his van and that she was pretty.  The terrified girl feared that she was going to be kidnapped so started to run away from the suspect and the van.  The man then chased after her on foot still shouting at her. The schoolgirl kept running and passed a member of the public at this point the suspect stopped chasing her.

The suspect is described as having tanned skin - possibly Southern European, he had long facial hair around mouth and upper lip greying in colour,  he was wearing brown leather bottoms and had a lazy eye. His vehicle is described as an orange van with faded writing on the side.

This is currently being investigated by the Serious and Violent crime unit at Southall.

Police are doing a letter drop to all premises on Woodstock and Raymond Avenue appealing to residents for any information they may have on any sightings of an orange van.

All students and parents at Elthorne High have been made aware of this incident.

If any information does come to light can you please contact Detective Sergeant Chris DENMAN from the Serious and Violent crime unit at Southall on 0208 246 1061 or emailing Northfield.SNT@met.police.uk

27 September, 2010