A SHAKEN-UP mum has spoken of the terrifying moment her three-year-old child was nearly abducted when they were out walking.

The woman, who was with her three children on Acre Crescent in Eccleshill, Bradford, on Sunday when the horror began to unfold.

The 25-year-old, who agreed to be photographed but did not want her name or the names of her children to be included, said she was walking close to her home when a man approached at around 5.15pm and offered her a large sum of money for her child, before attempting to snatch the youngster from the pram.

 

Detectives said the incident was “concerning for all involved” and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Police patrols have been stepped up in that part of Eccleshill, the Force confirmed.

And one councillor described the incident as "atrocious" and spoke of the need for "dangerous men like this" to be arrested swiftly.

The woman said: “We were walking and out of nowhere this man appeared, he was quite well built and had a deep voice.

“He said, if I give you five grand will you give me your baby. I said no and then he tried to snatch the baby.”

 

The family has been left shaken up and scared by the incident.

“My children are scared to leave the house and they didn’t want to go to school this morning because the bus stop is in the same direction as where the abduction nearly happened.

“I still feel really shocked and I can’t sleep at all. I’m scared to leave my house now.”

In a statement released to the T&A, West Yorkshire Police, said: “Police in Bradford are investigating reports of a suspicious incident in Eccleshill.

“The incident is reported to have occurred between 5.10pm and 5.20pm on Sunday, November 27 when a woman was walking with her children on Acre Crescent.

“It was reported an unknown male approached the woman and following a short conversation attempted to take a child out of a pram.

“The child was strapped in and remained the pram and was not harmed during the incident.

“It is believed the male then left the area in a small white van. Officers are keen to speak to anyone who was travelling in the area at the time who may have dash cam footage or anyone who lives in the area who has CCTV footage of a small white van to contact police. 

“The male is described as a black male, 6ft, strong build wearing a black cap and black jacket.”

Detective Inspector Michael Ineson, of Bradford CID, said: “We are investigating this suspicious incident and are keen to speak to anyone who was in the Acre Crescent area to come forward.

“Understandably this is a concerning incident for all involved. Local Neighbourhood Patrols have been stepped up in the area to provide reassurance.”

Councillor Chris Hayden of Eccleshill said: “I am absolutely shocked to hear of this atrocious attempt to abduct a young child in the early evening on Sunday. I would implore anybody who has any information, however insignificant it might seem, to get in touch with the police as soon as possible.

“It is of vital importance that dangerous men like this are apprehended swiftly and dealt with to the full extent that the law allows.

“I welcome the increased police presence in the area and hope that this provides some reassurance to everybody.”

Anyone with information on this male is asked to contact police via 101 or the Live Chat options at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contactus quoting crime reference 13220654291

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