Harold Hill attempted child abduction: ‘We will catch you’ says victim’s dad

The horrified dad of a six-year-old boy targeted by child snatchers has told the men responsible “we will catch you”.

The youngster was grabbed by a man while playing on his bike with his eight-year-old brother and another boy, also six, in Harebell Way, Harold Hill, on Saturday afternoon.

The man, who had got out of a dirty white van, tried to drag him off the street while a second man opened the back doors of the vehicle, but he and his brother began to scream and he broke free and ran away.

Police have since stepped up patrols around the Briar Road Estate area to reassure residents and catch the abductors.

Speaking exclusively to the Recorder, the boy’s dad warned those responsible they would be found.

“With the police and through the power of social media we will catch you,” he said, referring to his post on Facebook alerting other parents, which has been shared 21,000 times.

He said his sons have both been “a bit quiet” since it happened, and called his eight year old a “hero”.

“He screamed for his brother,” he said. “He pretty much saved him because the guy then let go of him and ran away.”

Police have appealed for information about the two suspects.

The first man is described as white, bald with short facial stubble and in his 30s. He was wearing a black T-shirt and black trousers.

The second man is described as white, in his mid-30s, with brown hair. He was wearing a blue T-shirt.

A man was arrested on Sunday in connection with the incident but was released without charge.

Det Ch Insp Denise Johnson, from Havering CID, said: “High visibility patrols have been increased in the area to provide reassurance to the local community. I would always ask parents to remind children about the importance of not talking to or going with strangers.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Havering police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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