Police hunt men who tried to abduct young girl at knifepoint in Croydon alley

The 13-year-old girl was forced into an alley off Granville Gardens, Norbury
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Tom Powell28 February 2018
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Police are hunting two men who attempted to abduct a young girl at knifepoint in broad daylight in south London.

The 13-year-old girl was forced into an alley and had her hands tied together in a "terrifying" ordeal in Croydon, Scotland Yard said.

She was targeted sometime between 2.45pm and 4.20pm on Sunday after getting off the 250 bus from Brixton Hill to Norbury and was walking in Granville Gardens.

But while the two men were talking and distracted, the victim managed to escape, running into nearby Norbury High Road where she was able to call her family.

Detective inspector Dan O'Sullivan, Croydon CID, said incidents of this nature are "very rare" and that officers are "doing all they can to identify the individuals and bring them to justice".

"We have stepped up patrols in the area and have been speaking with the local schools to raise awareness among teachers, parents and young people," he said.

"There is no doubt that this was a terrifying experience for a young girl in broad daylight. It has caused a great deal of anguish for the victim and her family.

"Fortunately, thanks to her quick wit she was able to get away from the suspects and to safety.

"We believe the suspects followed the victim from the bus stop, so I would appeal to anyone who may have seen the suspects hanging around that area or walking towards Granville Gardens to come forward.

"Any information, no matter how small, could prove vital to this investigation."

The force said the first suspect is described as a white man, aged 18-23 years, around 5ft 9ins tall, with short brown hair, blue eyes and a London accent.

He had a black mask covering half his face, and was wearing a thin black jacket, blue work-style trousers, white trainers and a Nike bag.

The second suspect is described as a white man, aged 25-29 years old, approximately 5ft 7ins tall, with blue eyes.

He was wearing a black balaclava, grey hoodie, black trousers and white trainers.

The Met said that no other similar offences have been reported.

Anyone with information should call Croydon CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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