Police have launched an urgent appeal after a six-year-old boy was allegedly forced into a black van in Redhill, Surrey, on Thursday 25 August at 4.45pm GMT.

It is feared the boy may have been abducted but other possibilities have not been ruled out. The boy was seen by a member of the public getting into a modified VW Transporter van, leaving his mountain bike behind as the van drove off. A search operation is underway including a large police team and rescue dogs, the Mirror online reports.

More from IBTimes UK

Superintendent Bex Smith of Surrey Police said: "This is an incident we are taking extremely seriously and are asking for anyone with any information regarding the child, the van or what happened to come forward.

"If you were in the area, perhaps commuting to or from Redhill train station at the time please get in touch with us if you saw anything suspicious. At this stage we are not ruling out a number of options, including whether the child and the person in the van know each other."

Surrey Police added: "Officers are continuing in their efforts to establish the circumstances of the incident and continue to have a visible presence in the area.

They have also been assisted by the National Police Air Service."

Surrey Police appealed for help to find the missing boy on social media tweeting: "We don't know who the boy in #Redhill VW incident is. We don't have a missing report from a parent yet".

The child is described as white, between 6 – 7 years old and approximately 4ft tall. Officers have shared an image of the distinctive black and yellow Frantic Giant bicycle, which was found at the scene.

The van was a black, modified, VW Transporter with a 02 registration plate. It had three BBS alloy wheels, with one front nearside missing, no rear windows, no sign-writing but with chrome sidesteps and a sliding side door.

Anyone with any information should contact Surrey Police and quote Operation Bigfoot. Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.