UK: Two men arrested over attempted child abduction

Two men have been arrested after an 11-year-old girl in Blackpool reported being approached by two men in a van. The men, one aged 27 from Bury and one aged 53 from Bolton, are being held on suspicion of attempted child abduction.

The alleged incident occurred on Thursday (27 November) as the girl was walking home from school, Lancashire Police said. The men stopped their van at around 3.30pm and approached the girl. They asked her to get inside the vehicle, but she refused and went home where she told her mother who informed the police.

The van was described as a white one similar to a VW camper van with three letters starting with S in blue on the rear doors and an image of a stick man and a crescent moon. Both men were described as Asian, one with a black, bushy beard and wearing a white woven cap.

Detective Inspector Jason Richardson, of Blackpool CID, told Sky News: "Incidents like this are rare but when we get reports such as this we take them extremely seriously. Thankfully, the girl involved was not physically harmed but was understandably upset and frightened by what occurred.

"As a result of the incident we have increased uniformed patrols in the area and we are in contact with local schools to notify them of the incident and to offer them appropriate advice to keep pupils safe."

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them on 101 quoting of reference number LC-20151126-0876 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.