Police have arrested a man following reports of three attempted kidnappings in Salford. A 33-year-old man was arrested by officers today (November 28) on suspicion of three counts of attempted kidnap.
It follows a public appeal, in which Greater Manchester Police said a 15-year-old schoolgirl was approached by a man at a bus stop between the two roundabouts on Monton Green, in Monton, at approximately 6.15pm on November 21. It is believed that he made advances to her and tried to physically get her to go with him to his car.
After viewing CCTV footage, GMP said they were 'possibly linking' the incident to two others in Salford that took place in the past fortnight, involving two other teenage girls aged 13 and 15.
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Sharing an update, police said that a man has been arrested on suspicion of three counts of attempted kidnap. Operation Wraith had been set up in response by the force, with dedicated detectives investigating the offences further.
The arrest follows from a major public appeal issued on Sunday night, in which CCTV footage was released of a 'vehicle of interest' as investigations into the attempted kidnapping continued. Police say they are still continuing for information and dashcam footage as part of their enquiries and are 'interested' in the movements of a Vauxhall Astra.
Detective Inspector Chris Horsfield, of GMPs Salford CID, said: “Although we have made this arrest, we are still very much looking to speak to anyone who may have information or dashcam footage, which could help us to establish the circumstances.
“We understand that the local community will be concerned but we are doing all we can to solve this investigation. I’d urge anyone who knows anything at all to please get in touch as soon as possible. In particular we are interested in the movements of a Black Vauxhall Astra 08 plate with a silver drivers wing mirror cover; the passenger side is black."
Police say they are keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam footage pertaining to the following locations in particular:
- Rocky Lane/Monton Green/Monton High Street on Monday 21 November 2022 between 6-7pm.
- Mossfield Road/Ackworth Road, Swinton on Monday 21 November 2022 between 8-9am.
- Liverpool Street (Salford), between Fitzwarren Street and Albion Way on Wednesday 16 November 2022 between 7:45-8:20pm.
Anyone with footage is being urged to contact cctvretrieval@gmp.police.uk with their name and contact number. Police can also be contacted on 0161 856 8361, by dialling 101 or using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk, quoting log number 2786 of 21/11/22.
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