Woman attempts to kidnap boy from Chorlton Water Park after offering to show him puppies

Police are appealing for information after a woman attempted to abduct a child in Greater Manchester after offering to show him some puppies. The eight-year-old boy was playing hide and seek with his friends at the Chorlton Water Park on Maitland Avenue on 1 August when a car pulled up beside him.

The vehicle was described as a grey Toyota 4x4 with tinted windows, side steps and a spare wheel on the rear. The car parked nearby and a woman sitting in the back of the car shouted to the boy to come over.

When the boy went over to the woman, she asked him if he wanted to come with her to see some puppies before grabbing his top and attempting to pull him inside.

The boy managed to fight her off with the assistance of his friends. Police are now appealing for anyone who may have information on the attempted kidnapping to come forward.

There were two men in the front of the vehicle, both described as white and one of whom was speaking on a phone. The woman is described as white, wearing a bobble type hat and sunglasses.

Detective Inspector Paul Walker from GMP's City of Manchester Team said: "Clearly this is a worrying set of circumstances and I understand people will be alarmed when they hear news of this incident, but we have a number of officers currently investigating what has taken place here and we are making numerous enquiries to trace the people involved.

"If anyone was in the area of the Chorlton Water Park early on Monday (1 August) evening, and you remember seeing this grey Toyota 4x4 type vehicle, then please get in touch and tell us what you saw. Your information may seem trivial to you, but it could be important to this investigation."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at West Didsbury police station on 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.