Man Tries To Abduct Schoolgirl in Southampton

Detectives in Southampton are investigating claims that a man in a car tried to abduct an 11-year-old girl as she walked home from school yesterday afternoon (Tuesday, November 2) at around 3.30pm..

A red car stopped by the girl, dressed in her school uniform, by the entrance to Hoglands Park near Debenhams next to the roundabout with the junction of Palmerston Road and Houndwell Place. 

A man, described as Asian and around 35-40 years old, got out of the vehicle. He grabbed her by the wrists and tried to abduct her but she managed to run off.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses who saw the incident.

Detective Inspector Becky Riggs said:

“These type of incidents are luckily rare in our city however we need to find the person responsible as quickly as possible.

“This is a busy area and there would have been lots of people around where this happened at that time of day, both on foot and driving and they are likely to have seen what happened.

“I am appealing for witnesses or anyone with information about this incident to get in contact with my team at Shirley CID as soon as possible on 101 or alternatively they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."