Police today warned residents to be on their guard following two attempted abductions in Basildon within just eight hours.
A man grabbed the arm of a nine-year-old boy and attemped to drag him away after offering him sweets near shops in Felmores End, Pitsea, at 4.45pm on Tuesday.
A terrified woman fought off a man who tried to drag a woman, thought to be in her late teens, into undergrowth in Ryedene Place, Pitsea, just hours later at 11pm on Tuesday.
A police spokesman said: "It is very important for everyone to be on their guard and keep vigilant. Attempted abductions are a rare occurrence, but nevertheless, parents of young children in particular should be mindful of such incidents and keep children out of harms reach."
The attack on the woman took place as she walked back to a friends house in Pitsea. A man jumped out from bushes and grabbed her by the arm and attempted to pull her off the street.
The woman managed to fight off her attacker who promptly ran away from the scene in the direction of Ryedene flats.
His victim, who is understood to be staying with friends in the area, was left with minor injuries.
Det Sgt Dave Britton, of Wickford CID, said: "This is an alarming incident that has left the girl in some distress. With these sort of attempted abductions you never know what it could lead to.
"We would ask anyone who saw somebody acting suspiciously in the area or near the Barge Pub in High Road to contact us as soon as possible."
The man is described as white, aged 23-25 years-old, 5ft 8ins tall, with a goatee beard and short brown mousy hair. He was wearing a blue baseball cap and a blue three-quarter length jacket.
His description does not match the man responsible for raping a Basildon girl near Southernhay earlier this month, and police are understood to have ruled out a connection.
In the other incident involving a young boy, the suspect is described as white, with short ginger hair. He was wearing beige shorts and light top.
Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call Wickford CID on 01268 244047.
Published Thursday July 15, 2004
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