Police have launched an investigation after four reported incidents of attempted child abduction in south east London between Wednesday 30 April and Friday 2 May. No children were harmed or abducted in any of the incidents.
The first incident occurred on 30 April between 16:00 and 16:30 BST, when an 11-year-old boy was approached by a man in a black van on Whitmore Road, Beckenham. Around the same time, an eight-year-old boy was approached in the wooded area of Kelsey Park.
A third boy reported to school staff that he had been followed by a man on Wednesday. On Friday, a fourth incident was reported at The Glades shopping centre in Bromley, where two men were seen walking behind a young girl; one appeared to try to grab her raised hand before both walked away.
Superintendent Andy Brittain said: “I am aware of varying reports online both in the news and on social media and I fully understand the concerns of parents. I would encourage the public to remain vigilant, but not to be unduly alarmed. Child kidnappings or abductions are, thankfully, incredibly rare, but we are not complacent.”
He added that police have increased visibility in areas where youngsters gather to provide reassurance, and urged anyone with concerns or information to approach officers.
