Hero stranger saves girl, 11, from being abducted after man tried to lure her into car

The Metropolitan Police have released photos of two men in connection with the incident

The Metropolitan Police have released photos of two men in connection with the incident

Metropolitan Police
Jack Walters

By Jack Walters


Published: 30/08/2023

- 22:07

The Metropolitan Police have released CCTV pictures of two men wanted in connection with an attempted abduction

A stranger has been lauded as a hero after saving an 11-year-old girl from a man attempting to lure her into his car.

The quick-thinking member of the public stepped in and took the youngster into a nearby shop.


Police officers were soon called about the incident in West Wickham, Bromley.

The Metropolitan Police said the woman approached the 11-year-old after she looked “nervous”.

A view of the Mind charity shop in West Wickham

A view of the Mind charity shop in West Wickham

Google Street View

Scotland Yard released photos of two men who they want to speak to about the incident.

The Metropolitan Police said: “At 11.45am on Saturday, June 24, an 11-year-old girl was approached by a man on High Street, West Wickham who tried to convince her to leave with him.

"A member of the public, seeing the child looked nervous, intervened and took her into a shop.

“Officers are keen to hear from anyone who can name the men in the images.”

Police are urging anyone who can name the two men or provide any information to assist their investigation.

CCTV footage shared by MailOnline showed the woman intervening outside a Mind charity shop.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police also revealed that men were caught on CCTV following the girl into Shriji News.

The owner of the shop, Maunil Patel, 35, told MailOnline today: "I saw the girl come in first, I’ve seen her before as she lives nearby, and two men I’ve not seen came in soon afterwards.

“The girl was looking around the shop for a few minutes and the men were keeping a close eye on her, watching what she was doing and maybe seeing if anyone was with her.”

A generic view of High Street, West Wickham

A generic view of High Street, West Wickham

Google Street View

He added: “He went out of the shop first and turned right. The security camera shows him waiting outside the charity shop.

“The girl bought something - sweets I think - and walked out of my shop and past the man who was waiting outside the shop next door.

“He followed her slightly and asked her something which made her turn round. He’d apparently asked her if she was alone and if she needed any help.

“At this point a woman in a long turquoise dress walked into the charity shop but glanced towards them as she went in. She was obviously worried about what was going on.

“A few seconds later she came out the shop and challenged the man. I heard her say to him that she was going to call the police and she asked the girl to come with her.”

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