Police launch manhunt after teenager was grabbed and nearly abducted by two men on her way to school in east London
- Schoolgirl was approached in Walthamstow, London, at 8.30am on Wednesday
- She told police that a white Kia pulled up alongside her before a man got out
- Pair struggled but she was able to get away and ran to Walthamstow Academy
Police have launched a manhunt after a teenager was grabbed in an attempted abduction by two men on her way to school.
The schoolgirl was approached along North Countess Road in Walthamstow, northeast London, at around 8.30am on Wednesday.
She told police that a white Kia, which she described as dirty and with ‘muddy tyres’, pulled up alongside her.
The teen said a man who she did not know got out of the passenger seat and grabbed her before the pair struggled.
She was able to get away and ran to the nearby Walthamstow Academy and told staff what had happened – she was not injured in the incident.
The schoolgirl was approached along North Countess Road (pictured) in Walthamstow, northeast London, at around 8.30am on Wednesday
The suspect is described as Asian, aged about 20, 6ft tall, of medium build with short black hair.
He was wearing a grey t-shirt, dark blue jeans, black trainers and a black face mask.
There is no description of the driver of the car.
Detective Superintendent Jodie Tuff said: ‘Thankfully no one was injured in this incident but I fully understand how much anxiety this will cause.
‘I want to assure our community that investigating this incident is a priority, officers have been out making enquiries and gathering evidence, and that evidence will be fast-tracked.
Police (stock image) have since launched a manhunt after the teenager was grabbed in the attempted abduction
‘In the meantime, we are making sure our officers are fully briefed about the incident and we are mounting extra patrols to both reassure and keep people safe.
‘We are liaising closely with our partners and we will keep them and our community updated when there are any developments. Lastly I would ask anyone with information to contact us and please call 999 if you see anything suspicious.’
Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote CAD 1851/16JUN
To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.