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Surrey police appeal for witnesses after boy 'forced into van' Surrey police appeal for witnesses after boy 'forced into black van'
(about 11 hours later)
Surrey police have appealed for witnesses after a boy was thought to have been forced into a van in Redhill on Thursday afternoon. Detectives are continuing to investigate a claim that a boy was taken into a van in Surrey, although no missing person reports have been received more than 12 hours after the alleged incident.
A member of the public reported seeing the child being taken into a black Volkswagen Transporter at 4.43pm in Redstone Hill. A member of the public reported seeing the child, who was described as being around six or seven years old, being taken into a black Volkswagen Transporter at 4.43pm in Redstone Hill, Redhill.
The modified van had an 02 registration plate and three BBS alloy wheels, with one missing at the front driver’s side. The vehicle also had no rear windows, as well as a sliding side door and chrome sidesteps.
The boy is described as white, about 4ft tall and six or seven years of age. He was wearing a red T-shirt and navy blue jeans.
A small mountain bike, believed to belong to the child, was left at the scene. It is a Frantic Giant make and has a silver frame with black and yellow detail.A small mountain bike, believed to belong to the child, was left at the scene. It is a Frantic Giant make and has a silver frame with black and yellow detail.
Police are trying to establish the circumstances of the incident and remain present in the area.
The force is searching for the modified van, which is described as having an 02 registration plate and three BBS alloy wheels, with one missing at the front driver’s side. The vehicle also had no rear windows, as well as a sliding side door and chrome sidesteps.
The boy is described as white, about 4ft tall and wearing a red T-shirt and navy blue jeans.
A statement from Surrey police on Friday said a “large” police operation involving a significant number of officers took place overnight to trace the van and to establish the identity of the child. “Reports of this nature involving children are extremely rare, which is why we are treating it so seriously,” the statement said.
Supt 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.Supt 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. “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.”
“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 issued a CCTV image of a van on Thursday but have since ruled out the vehicle after tracing the owner.
Anyone with any information should contact Surrey police by calling 999 in an emergency or 101. The independent charity Crimestoppers can also be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.Anyone with any information should contact Surrey police by calling 999 in an emergency or 101. The independent charity Crimestoppers can also be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.