Man Kidnapped & Beaten

25 March 2011, 15:11 | Updated: 25 March 2011, 15:14

A man was snatched off a street in Luton last night and was forced into a van where he was tied up and assaulted.

The 31 year old victim was walking along Stockingstone Road at 10.15 when he was grabbed from behind and forced into the large van.

Half an hour later Herts police, patrolling close to the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire border in the Putteridge Road area, saw a suspicious vehicle.

When the officers challenged the people with the van two men ran away from the scene and they found the victim in the back of the van with a serious leg injury.

A 25 year old  was arrested at the scene and a second man, aged 31, was arrested during the early hours of this morning from an address in Luton.

Both are being questioned by officers.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to his leg. He is expected to be released later today.

Detective Constable Tom Hamm, investigating, is keen to trace anyone who saw the incident in Stockingstone Road or saw anything suspicious in the Putteridgebury area.

DC Hamm said: "This was an unusual and extremely violent incident and we are following all lines of investigation to piece together the motive for this assault. I would urge anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the Putteridge Road area or anyone who may have seen a silver or white transit style van in the Putteridge Road area between 10.15pm and 10.45pm to come forward and speak to the police."

Anyone with information can contact DC Hamm at Luton Police Station, in confidence, on 01582 394193, or text information to 07786 200011, or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.