Pictures of a man who apparently tried to snatch a British girl on holiday – taken by the child’s parents – are released
Police have released photos of a man – believed to be British – who allegedly tried to abduct a three-year-old girl from her parents in the Canary Islands.
A family from Milton Keynes were on holiday in Costa Teguise in Lanzarote on January 30 last year when a man attempted to kidnap the girl in a shop.
The victim’s father noticed she was missing, left a store and spotted the youngster being led around a corner into an alleyway by a man, who was holding her by the hand.
He shouted out and ran up to his daughter, pulling her away from the man who then left the scene.
The family were on the beach a short time later and saw the same man, who spoke fluent English, sitting between some rocks and acting suspiciously.
The victim’s father confronted the suspect but he had gone before police arrived.
The family says the man was acting suspiciously on the beach
The family took photos of the man which have now been released by police in an attempt to identify him.
The suspect is white, with pasty skin, aged between 40 and 55, stocky with broad shoulders and around 5ft 8ins to 5ft 9ins tall. He had short dark hair and a dark moustache.
Detective Constable John Swallow, the investigating officer, said: “This is a very concerning incident in which a young girl was led away from her family by an unknown man.
“The victim’s father knew it was his daughter being led around the corner because he recognised her flashing trainers.
“The incident was reported to Thames Valley Police after initially being reported to police in Lanzarote and we have been making enquiries to try to establish the man’s identity since then.
“We are working closely with the Spanish authorities and Interpol on this case and will continue to do so.
“We have reason to believe he may be a British citizen as he spoke fluent English and made references to being on holiday.
“I am appealing for anyone who recognises the man in the images or has information on his whereabouts to contact police as soon as possible.”
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