A four-year-old boy was abducted from a park in Cradley Heath, near Dudley, on Thursday afternoon and was later found in nearby woodland, West Midlands Police have confirmed. The incident, which occurred at Haden Hill Park on Halesowen Road, has prompted a police appeal for information and witnesses.
According to West Midlands Police, the reported abduction took place around 3 PM when the boy's mother was attending to a baby. The child was reported missing for several minutes before being discovered in a woodland area close to the park. The force has described the incident as isolated but acknowledged the significant concern it has caused within the local community.
Authorities have released a description of a person they believe may be involved. The individual is described as a black male in his late teens, of short height, with curled hair and clean-shaven. He was reportedly wearing black clothing at the time of the incident. Police are urging anyone with information matching this description or who may have seen anything suspicious to come forward.
In response to the alarming event, extra officers were deployed to the area on Friday to provide reassurance to residents. West Midlands Police are actively reviewing CCTV footage from the vicinity of Haden Hill Park and are keen to hear from anyone who may have mobile phone footage taken in the park around the time of the incident.
The force spokesperson emphasised their understanding of the impact such an event will have on the local community, despite believing it to be an isolated occurrence. They are encouraging anyone with information, no matter how small, to assist with their ongoing investigation.