Passer-by stops attempted London abduction as man drags teenage girl into car

Girl, 17, attacked while crossing the road on her way home from college

The abduction attempt happened near Churchill Gardens in Pimlico, London (Google Streetview)

A passer-by has prevented an attempted abduction by stopping a man dragging a teenage girl into a car in London.

Police said the 17-year-old victim was walking home from college through Pimlico at around 7pm on Tuesday.

“She stopped to cross a road when a male got out of a vehicle and grabbed both of her wrists,” a spokesperson added.

“He then put his hands on her waist in an apparent attempt to pull her to the vehicle before he put his mouth on her cheek.

“A passer-by intervened and the male got into his vehicle and made off from the scene.”

The Metropolitan Police are seeking a suspect described as a man of Middle Eastern appearance, who was aged around 30 with a full dark-coloured beard.

He was about 6ft tall, of large build and wearing a dark hooded jumper and dark trousers. The vehicle he fled in was described as being a small red car.

DC James Kapp said: “This incident left the victim extremely shocked and upset, and we need to identify the suspect as soon as possible.

“We would particularly like to speak to the member of the public who intervened, and anyone else who may have witnessed this incident.”

The appeal came as police in Manchester were alerted to the suspected abduction of a child at the Heaton Park fireworks show.

Officers searched cars and investigated the report through the night but said the “available evidence does not suggest that a child has been abducted”.

Greater Manchester Police said they believe the initial report was made “in good faith” but have no information on a missing child matching the information given. Enquires are ongoing.

Anyone with information on the Westminster incident is asked to call Westminster CID on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or by visiting their website.