The child was left with ‘serious injuries’
Police have praised members of the public for detaining a man after he tried to ‘snatch’ a child walking with his mother during an attempted abduction in Bolton, England.
The child was with their mother at the time of the incident, when a man in his 20s approached the pair.
Police were called to reports of the attempted kidnap in Mayor Street in Bolton at around 18:30 on Tuesday.
According to Greater Manchester Police, the man “snatched her child and attempted to make off.”
But members of the public helped detain him, and he was later arrested by police.
The child was left with “serious” but non-life threatening injuries.
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: “Members of the public assist officers in detaining a man for attempted kidnap in Bolton.
“Police were called to reports of an attempted abduction on Mayor Street in Bolton.”
“A woman was walking with her child when she was approached by an unknown man.
“He snatched her child from her and attempted to make off.”
A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of kidnap.
Speaking about the incident, Detective Inspector Tony Lunt of GMP Bolton CID said: “This was an incredibly distressing incident during which a child received serious injuries.”
DI Lunt went on to thank the “bravery of members of the public” who helped detain the man.
He said: “I’d like to thank the quick work & bravery of members of the public who assisted in detaining a man who was arrested by officers.
“Whilst we have a man in custody, our investigation does not stop there and I would ask anyone with information to get in touch.”
The suspect has been taken into police custody where he will be questioned.
You can get in touch by calling police on 0161 85 65757 quoting 2896 of 21/02/2023. You can also make a report via the Live Chat function on GMP's website: https://t.co/uVYREPZQ0q.
Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
— Bolton South Police (GMP) (@GMPBoltonSouth) February 22, 2023
Police confirmed the child’s injuries are not life-threatening, but that the mother of the child was “understandably extremely shaken.”
“The mother is receiving support from specialist officers at this time,” they added
DI Lunt stressed that this is an isolated incident, adding that “there is not believed to be any wider threat to the community.”
Police confirmed there will also be increased patrols in the area following the incident.
The investigation is ongoing.
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