Pictured: Van where girl, six, was sexually assaulted after being snatched from the street
A van parked where a six-year-old girl was sexually assaulted after being snatched off the street had been cordoned off by police – as officers step up the search to find a man in connection with abduction.
Police were called to the incident in Droylsden at around 4pm yesterday following reports the girl was taken to a vehicle in Warne Road and into a wooded area close to a disused railway track towards Manchester Road – where she was allegedly sexually assaulted.
The young girl was safely reunited with her family a short time later, police say.
A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of abduction and sexual assault.
But detectives probing the incident are stepping up the search for another man they wish to ‘speak to urgently’.
Police yesterday released two images of the male taken 30 minutes apart, urging anyone who sees him to call 999 immediately.
The first was taken a short time after the reports of the abduction were first made to police, with the second captured around half an hour afterwards.
It shows the man appearing to be wearing a jacket around his waist in Gainsborough Road hearing towards The Snipe pub.
This morning, an area of grass just off the street remains taped off by police. Pictures show officers standing guard at the cordon. A forensic tent is also in place next to a footpath.
A van inside a police cordon close to a woodland where a six-year-old girl was abducted and sexually assaulted
The van is parked adjacent to a woodland, where police say the six-year-old was taken close to a disused railway track
Police said in a statement: ‘We’re wanting to speak to this man after a girl (aged six) was taken into the woods by a stranger in Droylsden earlier’
Greater Manchester Police then released a second image of the man they want to identify. He appears here on Gainsborough Road heading towards The Snipe
A blue police tent and officer inside a cordon in Warne Avenue, Droylsden, earlier today following the abduction of a child
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: ‘Detectives have issued two images of another man we wish to speak to urgently in relation to this incident.
‘We’re keeping an open-mind as our fast-paced enquiries continue. Thank you for your help so far.’
Officers had earlier released a statement with a CCTV image saying: ‘We’re wanting to speak to this man after a girl (aged six) was taken into the woods by a stranger in Droylsden earlier.
‘Thankfully the girl was re-united with her family a short time later.
‘Seen him? Call 999. Contact us with any other info quoting 2270 of 17/08.’
There are a large number of officers in the area while ‘extensive searches for the suspect take place’, police said.
