Lockdown as trio try to seize girl, 7, at superstore
AWOMAN has described the alleged abduction attempt on her seven-year-old daughter that led to a supermarket being locked down.
The Tesco Extra store in Carmarthen was placed on lockdown on Tuesday night as police were called to reports of a “possible child abduction” inside the store.
The incident happened at around 6.30pm and officers from Dyfed-Powys Police put a cordon in place to stop anyone entering or leaving the store.
The child’s mother said she saw three adults – two men and a woman – approach her daughter.
“We just went down to do a bit of Christmas shopping,” said the girl’s mother, who did not wish to be named.
“We were coming to the end of one of the aisles and there were three of them.
“As we were coming around the corner, they beckoned my daughter and said ‘come, come’.
“I went to the till and a member of staff alerted security and the police were there within minutes. It was frightening.”
The mother of the girl said she had to stand at the entrance to try to identify those responsible.
“I had to stand at the doors and watch people coming out, but we saw from CCTV later that they had already gone.
“My daughter was quite confused by it all.
“I thought they were going to grab her.”
Police are continuing to investigate the incident. No arrests have been made.
A spokeswoman for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Officers responded to a report of a possible attempted child abduction at Tesco store, Carmarthen, at approximately 6.30pm on Tuesday.
“The child was not taken and it appears no physical contact was made with the child.
“The child is safe and well with family and officers.
“In order to investigate thoroughly, and carry out necessary inquiries, the cordon was put in place.”
In an additional statement yesterday morning, a force spokeswoman said: “We are continuing to make inquiries. At this time officers have found no evidence of any offences.
“We urge anyone with information to report it to Carmarthen Joint Investigation Unit by calling 101.”
A second mother has alleged that a similar incident happened at the same Tesco store last month.
The mum wrote on Facebook that two people, later joined by another two people, began following her and her daughter around the store, making her feel “very uncomfortable”.
There is no indication that the two incidents are linked in any way and the police did not receive a report into the prior allegation.
Tesco in Carmarthen is open as normal today, and a spokesman for the store has confirmed that they are assisting police with their inquiries.