POLICE have warned residents in Wigan not to walk home alone after disturbing reports of a suspect in a white van trying to snatch people off the streets.
Officers sent out the warning on social media after receiving numerous attempted abduction reports.
A statement from cops in the Leigh, Atherton and Hindley area read: “Locally we have received reports of a white van, acting in suspicious circumstances and being involved in attempts to abduct pedestrians.
“These matters are currently under investigation. Such reports are being mirrored across the whole of The Greater Manchester area, with widespread reports of similar offences.
“In addition to this across social media there is a massive amount of information being shared about such activity – a lot of which is not being reported to the police.”
The statement said that no one has been abducted, however officers issued three pieces of advice for locals in the area.
- Remain vigilant at all times and please report any suspicious activity to the POLICE – we can’t act if we don’t know about it.
- If possible make sure family and/or friends are with you when you are making journeys on foot. When this is not possible make sure that you keep in touch with friends or family to let them know when you have arrived safely at your destination.
- Remain conscious of your surroundings and try to avoid being distracted by your phone/listening to music etc.
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The statement added: “It is important to note that there are thousands of white vans in use across our communities and that the vast majority of these are involved in normal work and leisure activities and should not be viewed with suspicion simply because of the type of vehicle they are.
“Should your suspicions be raised please contact the police and allow us to take appropriate action rather than taking matters into your own hands.”