Four arrested after attempted kidnap of teenage girl in Ripon

Police were called at 3.15pm on Thursday, September 17, after reports that a 13-year-old girl had been approached by two men in a white van in Clotherholme Road.

Officers attended the scene and immediately began a search of the area before a white Ford Transit van was stopped on the A61 at around 4.20pm.

Four men in the vehicle, aged 36, 26, 22 and 20, and from the West Yorkshire area, were arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnap and conspiracy to kidnap. They remain in custody at this time.

In a similar incident on Saturday, 12 September, a 10-year-old boy was told to get in a white van by a man parked up on Lead Lane.

However, the boy refused, ran away and informed his mother about the incident who then reported it to police.

Officers are investigating whether these incidents are linked and have increased patrols in the Ripon area.

Extensive enquiries are ongoing into both these incidents and anyone with information about either incident is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police.

Dial 101, select option 2 and ask for Harrogate Serious Crime Team. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.