A man has attempted to abduct a child in north Wiltshire this afternoon.
At around midday today, Saturday 8 July, a nine-year-old girl – who was walking with her young sister in the Park Place area of Ashton Keynes – was grabbed by a man.
Luckily she managed to run away and get back home with her sister; it’s believed the man then headed along Park Place. The girl was shaken but unhurt.
The man is described as white, in his early 40s, tall, thin with grey stubble and light brown hair; he was wearing a dark blue t-shirt with writing on, sunglasses, grey cap and jeans.
DC Gemma Lumley is appealing for information in relation to this incident: “This was obviously a frightening experience for the victim, who did the right thing by reporting the incident to her parents who then called the police.
“I would like to reassure members of the public that we take reports like this very seriously and are carrying out a thorough investigation including house to house enquiries as well as putting on extra patrols.
“I would also like to remind parents and guardians that, although incidents like this are rare, it is important to remain vigilant and teach children not to talk to strangers.
“It is also important, especially as it’s summer, that parents and guardians know the location of their children if they are outside playing in local streets and parks.
“I am appealing to anyone who was in the Park Place area of Ashton Keynes at this time today and who may have seen a man acting in a suspicious manner.”
Anyone with information should call Melksham CID on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously if preferred.
