CCTV appeal in hunt for driver after kidnap bids
POLICE have released CCTV footage in the hunt for a driver who could be behind a string of attempted kidnappings.
Detectives have issued footage of a ‘vehicle of interest’ following reports a motorist tried to kidnap a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police say the teenager was approached by a man at a bus stop between the two roundabouts on Monton Green, in Monton, at approximately 6.15pm.
It is believed that he made advances to her and tried to physically get her to go with him to his car, which was a dark hatchback.
After viewing CCTV footage, GMP are now ‘possibly linking’ the incident to two others in Salford that took place in the past fortnight, involving two other girls aged 13 and 15.
Police yesterday released footage of a ‘vehicle of interest’ – a black Vauxhall Astra, with the driver’s side wing mirror cover silver.
Detectives are continuing to appeal for anyone with any information that could assist with the investigations to come forward.
The force is also appealing for the owner of the vehicle to make contact.
The first clip shown in the footage is from Rocky Lane, the second from Monton Road and third from the Folly Lane and Birch Road junction.
Detectives are now keen to speak to anyone who may have dashcam footage matching the following locations and times:
Rocky Lane/Monton Green/Monton High Street on Monday 21 November 2022 between 6pm and 7pm. Mossfield Road/Ackworth Road, Swinton on Monday 21 November 2022 between 8am and 9am. Liverpool Street, Salford between Fitzwarren Street and Albion Way on Wednesday 16 November 2022 between 7.45pm and 8.20pm.
Detective Inspector Chris Horsfield, from the Salford Division, said: “The victims have been left extremely shaken up by this encounter and it’s very important that we get this man identified and off the streets as soon as possible.
“We believe that the man we want to speak to may have been driving a darkcoloured hatchback car.
“But we need to review dashcam footage to identify the make, model and registration plate.
“We are appealing to drivers in the areas on the dates and times above to please submit their dashcam footage to us, so our specialised officers can go through and analyse it.”
Anyone with footage is being urged to contact cctvretrieval@gmp.police.uk with their name and contact number.
Police can also be contacted on 0161 856 8361, by dialling 101 or using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police. uk, quoting log number 2786 of 21/11/22.