Man arrested after nine-year-old girl allegedly kidnapped outside Harrods
A man has been arrested after a nine-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped outside Harrods in London.
The child was missing for three hours before police located her more than a mile from the department store in the company of a 56-year-old man who was detained on suspicion of kidnap and taken into custody for questioning.
Police were called at 2.44pm on Monday to reports of a missing child in Brompton Road, SW1 close to the world-famous store.
Officers quickly circulated images of the girl and the suspect which were gathered from CCTV and a major investigation was launched.
The girl was located almost three hours later in Old Court Place close to Kensington Palace.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said it was believed to be an isolated incident with no other person involved.
The spokesman said: “Police were called at 14.44 on Monday, 22 April to reports of a missing child at Brompton Road, SW1.
“Officers attended. At the scene a nine-year-old girl had become separated from her family.
“Fast time enquiries were conducted and an image of the child in the company of a man, taken from CCTV, was circulated to officers.
“The suspect was stopped by officers at 17.40 at Old Court Place, W8. He was still in the company of the child.
“A 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of child kidnap. He was taken to a west London police station where he remains.
“The child and her family are being supported by specialist officers.
“At this time detectives believe this to be an isolated incident with no other persons involved.”
