Police investigate possible abduction in Blackburn
Police were called to reports that a group had taken a man and driven off
An investigation is underway after reports that a man was possibly abducted in Blackburn.
Detectives have released CCTV of a man they urgently need to identify.
Police were called just after 12.20pm on Friday 5th March to the Tesco on Hill Street in the town after reports that a group of men had taken another man into their car, a burgundy Skoda estate, and driven off.
Police believe the man walking alone in the CCTV is the person who was taken against his will.
They've released still images of two men they want to identify, taken from CCTV on Whitebirk Road just after 12.30pm.
Three men have been charged with kidnap in connection with the investigation and will appear at the Crown Court in due course.
Four further men were arrested yesterday in the Peterborough area on suspicion of kidnap. Three, aged 32, 33 and 35, have been released under investigation, while the fourth, aged 32, is still in custody.
Further information is still required about the car - a burgundy Skoda estate car with the registration KM11 BUO. Police believe it may have travelled to Gloucester Road/Burnley Road after the incident and may have been in the East Lancs area for some time.
They're also appealing for information about a blue Skoda estate with the registration LF56 ZDC which police think the the car the offenders arrived in before leaving the burgundy Skoda.
Both vehicles were seen in the Audley Range area around midday on March 5th. Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen them or have any footage of them around that time.
DCI Derry Crorken, of East CID, said:
“Our priority is to find these two men safe and well and while we have our own enquiries ongoing I would appeal to anyone who has seen them or knows who they are to get in touch as a matter of urgency.
"If either of these two men see this appeal I would also urge them to contact us.
“While we have now charged three people and arrested a further four individuals our enquiries are very much ongoing and I would appeal for anyone with any information to get in touch.
“I am also keen to hear from anyone who has information about either the burgundy or blue Skoda estate cars which we believe were used during this incident. If anyone has any information, however insignificant they feel it may be, I would urge them to call us.
“We remain very concerned and we continue to treat this incident extremely seriously.”
Anyone with information should call the police on 101 quoting log 0545 of Friday, March 5th.
Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.