A young boy was reportedly abducted while playing near a pond at a Black Country park, police said. West Midlands Police have launched an urgent appeal for information after receiving a report of a four-year-old boy being abducted at Haden Hill Park in Cradley Heath.
The child was playing near the fish pond on Thursday when he went missing for several minutes and was later found in nearby woodland. The incident happened as the child’s mother was tending to a baby, and police are now looking for an "offender" in his late teens wearing black clothes.
In a statement, he was described as black, short, with curly hair, and clean-shaven.
Officers believe this to be an isolated incident and are speaking with the young boy and his family to work out what happened.
The force said: "We’re appealing for information after we received a report of a four-year-old boy being abducted at Haden Hill Park in Cradley Heath. The incident took place yesterday (Thurs) shortly after 3pm at the park off Halesowen Road.
"The child, who was playing near the fish pond, went missing for several minutes and was found in woodland close by. The incident happened as the child’s mother was tending to a baby.
"We’re in the early stages of the investigation and specially trained officers are speaking to the boy and his family as we look to establish exactly what happened.
"The offender is described as being in his late teens, black, short in height and with curled hair. He has been described as clean shaven and wearing black clothing.
"We believe this is an isolated incident but we understand how concerning it is and understand the impact it will have in the area and to the local community.
"We are currently studying CCTV as we investigate. We are also appealing for witnesses to come forward and we’re particularly keen to hear from people who may have been in the park at the time and may have any mobile footage to please contact us."
Anyone with information has been urged to call 101, quoting log number 3966-180626, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
