'Attempted Kidnap' Of Oxford Teen
1 January 2014, 07:43 | Updated: 1 January 2014, 07:45
Police in Oxford are investigating the attempted kidnap of a teenager.
At around 11.15pm on Sunday (29/12) a 16-year-old girl was standing at a bus stop in St Clement’s Street, close to the junction with Caroline Street.
A man approached her in a vehicle, thought to be a dark coloured car, opened the windows and asked her to get inside a number of times, which she refused. Another man was standing at the bus stop on his phone at the time and spoke to the girl.
The girl got on the number 8 bus which travelled up London Road. The girl got off the bus around 11.25pm opposite the junction of Gladstone Road.
The same man got out of his vehicle, approached her, and touched her on the shoulder. He asked her to get into the vehicle again before she pushed him and ran away.
The girl was uninjured but left shaken. The offender was wearing dark trousers and a dark hooded top.
Investigating officer Det Con Gurinder Sangha, of Oxford Force CID, said: “I am appealing for anyone with information about the incident to contact police.
“If you saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area at the time of the incident please contact us. If you were standing at the bus stop and witnessed the incident please come forward.
“This sort of incident is rare but was frightening for the lone girl and I would like to reassure the public that we are treating it extremely seriously.
“The local neighbourhood team are aware of this incident and will be patrolling in the area. Anyone with any concerns, please speak to them.”
Anyone with information about the incident should call the Thames Valley Police 24-hour non-emergency number 101 and ask to speak Det Con Sangha.
If you don't want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. (opens new window)
No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
A 29-year-old man from Oxford was arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnap and has been released on police bail until 7 January pending further enquiries.