Three arrests made after attempted kidnapping in Petersfield

A woman was seen being dragged towards some bushes by two men

Author: Grace McGachyPublished 20th May 2024

A man and two teenagers have been arrested following an attempted kidnapping in broad daylight in Petersfield.

Hampshire Police were called at 5.35pm on Saturday (18 May) to reports that a woman had been seen being pulled towards an area of bushes by two men in the Aldi car park on Frenchman’s Road.

When the men were confronted they got into their car and left.

Police located the vehicle a short time later on Station Road and arrested three people – a 30-year-old man, an 18-year-old man from Hounslow and a 16-year-old boy from Kingston-upon-Thames on suspicion of attempted kidnap.

Detective Inspector Claire Ratcliffe, who is leading enquiries, said: “We fully appreciate that this incident will be of concern to members of the public and I would like to reassure you that all those involved are known to each other and there is not believed to be a wider risk to the public at the current time.

“We are carrying out a thorough investigation into what has taken place today and to assist us with this we need to hear from anyone who saw what happened and has not yet spoken to police. We believe there were a number of witnesses in the car park at the time, some of which have possibly captured the incident on their phones.

“It’s vital that if you have seen what happened or have any information that you please get in touch with police.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 44240208814.

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