Police Launch Urgent Appeal After Young Boy Reportedly Grabbed in Aveley
Essex Police have issued an urgent public appeal for information following a concerning incident in Aveley, Essex, where a young boy was reportedly grabbed by a man on Monday morning. The force is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness and is conducting extensive enquiries to trace the individuals involved.
Details of the Disturbing Incident
The incident is reported to have occurred at approximately 8:15 am on Monday, 19th January. Police now believe the location was the junction of Shannon Way and Monnow Road in Aveley. According to the report, a man grabbed the boy on the arm before fleeing the scene.
The suspect did not act alone. He is reported to have jumped into a waiting vehicle with another male before driving away from the area. The car was travelling along Monnow Road.
Critical Vehicle Description Released
A key line of enquiry for detectives is the identification of the getaway vehicle. It has been described as a light-coloured hatchback with a distinctive and potentially identifiable mark: a small dent near the passenger-side brake light.
Officers are urging anyone who may have seen this vehicle in the Aveley area around the time of the incident, or who recognises the description, to come forward immediately.
Extensive Police Investigation Underway
Essex Police have confirmed that a dedicated team is working on the case. Investigative actions taken so far include:
- Conducting house-to-house enquiries with local residents.
- Carrying out a thorough trawl of available CCTV footage from the area.
- Providing safeguarding support to the child involved and his family.
Temporary Detective Sergeant Nima Fouladipour, who is leading the investigation, addressed community concerns directly: "I know this incident has caused concern within the community. Incidents like this are rare but we know it can be worrying. My team is working hard to identify the vehicle and the people involved."
Appeal for Witnesses and Information
Police believe that given the time of day, there would have been several people in the vicinity who may have witnessed the event or seen the suspect vehicle. They are appealing for the following:
- Anyone who witnessed the incident on Monday morning at the Shannon Way/Monnow Road junction.
- Anyone with CCTV, dashcam, or mobile phone footage from the area around 8:15 am on 19th January.
- Anyone who recognises the description of the light-coloured, dented hatchback.
The force has also moved to clarify a separate, unconnected report. They confirmed that following an investigation into an alleged accosting on Romford Road on Wednesday afternoon (21st January), no evidence was found to support that incident.
How to Contact Essex Police
Information can be provided to Essex Police by:
- Submitting a report via the Essex Police website.
- Using the online Live Chat service available 24/7.
- Calling the non-emergency number 101.
When contacting the force, please quote the incident reference number: 272 of 19 January.
Detective Sergeant Fouladipour added a direct plea to the public: "I believe there will have been a few people in the area at the time this incident happened and think someone will have seen something that will help our investigation. If that’s you, I need you to come forward." The investigation continues as police work to ensure community safety and bring those responsible to account.
