Leicestershire Police @leicspolice
UPDATE | Following a call from a third party about a stranger in a car talking to a toddler in High Street, Oakham, on Saturday, an investigation commenced and found this to be not as reported. It was a call of good intent. The arrested man has been released.
Leicestershire Police received a call at 4.35pm this afternoon (Saturday) from a third party who saw a black Nissan Qashqai stop next to where a toddler was walking in High Street, Oakham, near to the junction of Burley Road.
The child was a few paces behind their father and was seemingly spoken to by the occupants of the car. It was reported they were trying to coax the child into the car with them.
The child’s father turned around and the car sped off, but stopped further up the street and spoke to another child.
The car then left the area.
The driver of the car has been arrested in the Hinckley Road area of the city after being stopped by police following the information given by the original caller.
The 53-year-old, from Leicester, was arrested on suspicion of the attempted abduction of a child and remains in police custody this evening.
Officer in the case DC Steve Williams said: “I want to hear from anyone who may have seen a car matching this description being driven in a suspicious manner.
“I understand people will be concerned. We acted on the information we received very quickly and have a man in custody.
“We’d like to speak to the father who was with one of the children and hear their account. If you are reading this – please contact us.
“Any information you have, no matter how small or insignificant you make think it is – let us decide; tell us what you know.”
Call 101, quoting crime number 22*144121 or report information online at Report a crime | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk)
