Greater Manchester Police are investigating the abduction of a child in Droylsden yesterday after a number of reports were made to officers just after 4pm.
Thankfully, the child – a girl aged six– was safely re-united with her family a short time later.
From what Police know so far, they suspect the girl was taken by a man on Warne Avenue and into a wooded area nearby the disused railway track towards Manchester Road.
A search for the man is ongoing and there is a large police presence in the area while extensive enquiries take place.
Police have released a third image of a man they wish to speak to after issuing two images last night.
The first image is a short time after reports of the abduction were first being made to Police; the second is around 30mins after the incident where the man appears to be seen with his jacket now around his waist on Gainsborough Road hearing towards The Snipe.
A 35-year-old man – not the man pictured – was arrested yesterday and interviewed before today being released with no further action.
Detective Superintendent Richard Hunt, of GMP’s Ashton CID, said: “I’d like to commend the victim for her immense bravery in assisting police officers with our investigation, she is receiving support from specialist officers and partners at this really distressing time.
“Extensive enquiries are ongoing with significant resources and I would like to reassure the community and as a precautionary measure we have extra police officers and PCSOs out and about.
“At this time it does appear to be an isolated incident, but I’ll stress again how keen we are to find the person responsible and bring them to justice as soon as we can.
“I would like to thank the public for all their support so far, we have had a large amount of calls and a number of names given to us, as well as new footage, some of which we have been able to release today. If you do know or see anything, please contact us as soon as you can.”
If you see the man, call Police on 999 quoting incident 2270 of 17/08/2022.
Other details can be passed via the LiveChat facility on the website (www.gmp.police.uk) or by calling 101.
Information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
