Police search for two men after the attempted abduction of an 11-year-old school boy

An 11-year-old boy has been left shaken after two men attempted to abduct him on his way home from school.

Police were called at 4.40pm on Friday, April 30, after two males are alleged to have pursued the young boy in Beckenham.

The boy was walking home from school on Whitmore Road, when he was approached by two men in a small black van who asked him if he wanted a lift.

He ran into a nearby park and was followed by the men.

The victim spotted two other men in a tennis court area and ran to them to inform them that he was being followed.

The two suspects then left the scene and the victim ran home and alerted his parents.

The boy was not physically harmed but was left very shaken by the incident.

Officers attended the victim’s address on Sunday, May 2, and spoke to his family.

One of the males is described as white, approximately 5ft 10in tall. The second suspect is described as 6ft tall.

Superintendent Andy Brittain, from the South Area BCU, which covers Bromley borough, said: “I fully acknowledge our initial response was not sufficient given the extremely worrying circumstances of this incident.

“The matter was reviewed and detectives are carrying out further investigation which remains ongoing.

“CCTV of the area is currently being reviewed to identify any possible suspects.

“Detectives have been in touch with the boy’s parents to update them on the investigation so far, and will continue to keep them informed of any developments.

“I want to reassure the boy’s parents and the wider community that this incident is being fully investigated to establish the full circumstances of what happened.”

“I would also appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident to come forward and speak to officers, especially the two men playing tennis that the victim approached for help.”

There have been no arrests at this time and enquiries continue, led by the South Area Command Unit CID.

Anyone who has information that could assist police, or who saw the victim pursued by two males, should call police on 101 quoting reference Cad 5322/30Apr.