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Kidnapper Hunted After Young Girl Snatched

Kidnapper Hunted After Young Girl Snatched

A man who allegedly abducted a six-year-old girl in Burnley is being hunted by police.

The six-year-old was taken by the man, who was possibly in a large dark-coloured car, from Nairne Street at around 4pm on Thursday.

She was later dropped off around four miles away in Whitefield Street, Hapton, where she was found and taken home before police were alerted.

Sky News understands she was missing for around 20 minutes.

The suspect police want to trace is described as being white, in his 40s, with a tanned complexion and bald.

Police have stepped up patrols in the area to reassure the local community.

Specialist officers are supporting the young victim and her family.

Detective Chief Inspector Joanne McHugh said: "This investigation is very much in its early stages and we are determined to find out exactly what has happened to this young child and to catch the man who has done this.

"We have a team of detectives who are on with various lines of inquiry and will be speaking to people in the area, as well as looking for possible CCTV footage and forensic evidence. We will also be speaking to the victim.

"I would like to reassure the public that whilst incidents of this kind are rare, we have stepped up police patrols in the area.

"We have specially trained officers offering support to this young girl and her family at this time.

"I urge anyone who may have seen this vehicle, anything suspicious in the time leading up to the incident or indeed anyone with information about this incident to contact the police urgently."

Sky’s Nick Martin said police had begun the process of talking to the young girl.

He said: "It’s really important that police quickly establish exactly what happened.

"Critical will be a clear description of the man, the vehicle he was driving, where they drove, his accent and clothing and of course what happened during the 20 minutes she was missing.

"Officers will already be looking at CCTV from the area to see if cameras captured the abduction and from that they could identify the vehicle and registration plate.

"Police will also be trying to reassure the community and it's likely that extra officers will be put into the area to answer any questions that anxious parents may have."

Anyone with information can call Lancashire Police on 101 quoting incident reference 0916 of Thursday, 26 March, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.