An abduction investigation has been launched after a man chased terrified children 'with a large sack'. But despite family of the victims reporting the terrifying incident it took police nearly a week to carry out a proper investigation, the Manchester Evening News reports. The granddad of one of five children approached by a man has branded the response ‘a disgrace’. In the shocking incident two men in a van pulled alongside a grassy area off Wembley Road, Gorton.
One got out brandishing a large bag or sack and chased a group of five young children playing there. The petrified children fled and hid behind bins nearby.
As the man was still walking towards them a woman came out of a house and the man crouched behind bushes. The van then drove to where he was and he was driven away.
The mother of one of the children called police on the non-emergency 101 number shortly afterwards. But the grandfather of an eight-year-old girl, who was in the group, said the incident - on Monday, September 8 - was not investigated fully until the Friday. Police have confirmed to the MEN its response is now 'under review'. The granddad said:“The children were in a state of shock and terrified. After the mother of one called 101 police contacted her within 24 hours and she gave them the addresses and names of the others.
“My daughter took two days off work, with no contact or visit from any officer, despite police being contacted again. “On the Friday an aunt went in person into Longsight station to make a formal complaint. Finally, later that day, my daughter got a visit and so did the other parents.
“Apparently the officers who saw one of the mothers and a child at the beginning of the week judged they did not offer enough information for them to consider anything had occurred. “But having listened to my grandaughter’s account, the officer who came on Friday was concerned enough to go and see the others. He said it was unusual for a group of kids to have a very similar account. He, thankfully, did an excellent job - but it took four days. “The response was disgraceful. This incident could have been so much worse. The initial lack of response left me speechless.” Gorton councillor Afia Kamal said: “I would have thought this was a priority and the police would have pulled resources from elsewhere. "It’s very alarming and concerning. Where children are involved you want prompt and immediate action.” She said local councillors had not been informed of the incident by police.
Police said their response to the abduction alert was ‘under review’. Chief Insp Gareth Parkin said: “At that time, no officers were available due to ongoing incidents and an appointment was made for a patrol to visit at a later stage. The police response over the subsequent days is currently being reviewed. “I would like to reassure the community that the incident is being treated seriously and detectives have carried out a full investigation into the circumstances. “It was clearly a frightening experience for the children and people will understandably be concerned however it does appear to be an isolated incident."
No comments:
Post a Comment