The West Midlands Police are conducting an urgent investigation into an attempted child abduction that occurred in Wolverhampton on Thursday evening, January 9th, 2024. A man, described as having “red eyes,” attempted to pick up and carry away a three-year-old girl who was outside a residence on Leicester Street with an older relative around 5:15 pm. The child’s mother intervened, preventing the abduction, and the suspect fled the scene in the direction of Harrow Street. The child was thankfully unharmed, and the police are providing support to the child and her family. This incident has understandably caused significant concern within the community.
The police are actively pursuing various lines of inquiry to identify and apprehend the suspect. Investigators are currently retrieving and reviewing CCTV footage from the area and conducting house-to-house inquiries to gather information from potential witnesses. They are also urging residents to check their doorbell cameras and dashcam footage for any relevant information that could assist the investigation. The police are treating this as an isolated incident at this stage, but have increased local patrols to reassure the community.
The suspect is described as a mixed-race male, aged between 20 and 30 years old, and approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall. He is reported to have short, curly dark hair, facial hair, and brown eyes that exhibited signs of reddening. This detailed description is being circulated to aid in his identification. The police are appealing to the public for any information that may assist in their investigation, no matter how seemingly insignificant.
Detective Inspector Nicola Pestel of Wolverhampton CID emphasized the seriousness of the incident and reassured the public that the investigation is proceeding rapidly. She stressed the importance of community involvement in providing any information that might contribute to identifying and apprehending the suspect. The police understand the unsettling nature of this incident and are committed to a swift resolution. They are employing all available resources to bring the perpetrator to justice and ensure the safety of the community.
The police have established several channels for the public to provide information. Individuals can contact the police directly by calling 101 or using the Live Chat feature on the police website. When providing information, it is crucial to quote the log number 3766 of January 9th. This will ensure that the information is correctly linked to the investigation. The police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information regarding the suspect to come forward immediately.
This attempted abduction serves as a reminder to parents and guardians to remain vigilant about the safety of their children. While the police are treating this as an isolated incident, it highlights the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings and taking precautions to ensure children’s safety. The police are working diligently to apprehend the suspect and bring a sense of security back to the community. They are confident that with the public’s assistance, they will successfully identify and apprehend the individual responsible for this disturbing incident.
