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Police helicopter searches for boy 'seen taken into van' Redhill van abduction inquiry: Mountain bike ruled out
(about 5 hours later)
A large-scale police hunt is under way for a young boy who was reportedly seen being taken into a van in Surrey. A bicycle left by the roadside after a suspected abduction attempt in Surrey belongs to an unconnected person, police have said.
The child, aged six or seven, is believed to have been put into a black Volkswagen van in Redstone Hill, Redhill, on Thursday afternoon. A member of the public reported seeing a boy being "taken against his will" into a van in Redhill on Thursday.
The owner of a van pictured in a CCTV image circulated by police has been traced and ruled out of the inquiry. Supt Chris Edwards, of Surrey Police, said he was "completely satisfied" with the credibility of the witness.
Surrey Police said officers were treating the report with the "utmost urgency and seriousness". He said forensics, dogs and the police air service had been mobilised and CCTV footage was being reviewed.
A member of the public told Surrey Police they saw the boy being taken at 16:43 BST on Thursday. The child is described as white, about 4ft (1.2m) tall, and wearing a red T-shirt and navy blue jeans.
Speaking at Reigate Police Station, Supt Chris Edwards said the young boy was seen at the roadside "tampering" with a small silver and yellow mountain bike, when he was approached by the van, near the train station, between 16:30 BST and 17:00 BST.
The witness described the child as being "taken from the roadside into a vehicle," he said.
A bike, believed to belong to the child, was left behind.
He added: "Anyone who knows anybody who has a vehicle that fits the description that was in the area yesterday, or if that was you, then please contact us immediately in order that we can establish the safety of that young child."
The child is described as white, approximately 4ft (1.2m) tall, and wearing a red T-shirt and navy blue jeans.
No parent has reported a child matching the description as being missing.No parent has reported a child matching the description as being missing.
"We are treating the matter with the utmost urgency and seriousness as parents would expect us to do," said Mr Edwards. 'Distinct' wheel
The police helicopter based at Redhill has been involved in the search. Police have narrowed down the time the van approached the boy on Redstone Hill, near the railway station, as between 16:25 BST and 16:40 BST.
The owner of a van pictured in a CCTV image and initially circulated by police has been traced and ruled out of the inquiry.
Mr Edwards said the vehicle police were looking for was a black 02 plate VW transporter van.
He said it had three alloy wheels, plus a fourth space-saving wheel which would make it "quite distinct".
Mr Edwards said: "Anyone who knows anybody who has a vehicle that fits the description that was in the area yesterday, or if that was you, then please contact us immediately in order that we can establish the safety of that young child."
Officers initially believed the yellow and silver bike left at the roadside belonged to the boy as he was seen "tampering" with it.
But he said: "We are now confident that the bicycle relates to an unconnected individual."
A landlord of a pub close to the scene, who did not want to be named, said he moved the bike next to some bins after finding it dumped outside his premises earlier in the week.
He said: "On Wednesday... I moved it to the back of the old arcade where the bins are, assuming someone would pick it up. All the kids play around there."
"Whether that boy had been cycling around on it, I don't know. All I know is it was outside my pub a few days ago."
Earlier, Surrey Police said in a statement: "We are treating the matter with the utmost urgency and seriousness as parents would expect us to do."