Mum’s fright after son almost snatched by man

Sandra Edge said her son, Joshua, was ‘in tears’ after he was forced to fight free from a man who grabbed his arm last Wednesday (April 1).

The incident took place at the junction of Mill Pond Way and Warren Crescent, at about 7.30pm, and has left locals too scared to let children play outside over Easter, Sandra claimed.

Sandra, 39, said: “We had just been watching TV and heard a big bang on the door.

“We opened the door and Joshua was shaking and crying. He was very upset.”

The frightened youngster told his family how a white man, wearing dark clothing, had got out of a car and yanked his shoulder.

“It made Joshua’s scooter fall to the floor,” Sandra added. “Joshua pushed out and elbowed the man in the face and ran straight home.

“I’m very proud he reacted so quickly. I don’t know what could have happened to him if he didn’t. It’s been very frightening.”

Police are investigating and have been making door-to-door enquiries.

Sandra, who lives in the village, added that since the attempted abduction other parents had been left fearful.

“It’s been empty today,” she said. “No-one has let their kids out to play.

“I think everyone is just shocked by what’s happened.

“Joshua said he isn’t going out and that he won’t even go outside the front of the house. He is too scared.”

The man who grabbed Joshua is described as white, with blonde hair, about 30 and around 5ft 8ins tall.

Unemployed Sandra said the assault had ‘happened so quickly’ that her little boy couldn’t remember what car the man was driving was.

Police are now appealing for anyone, with any information, to contact them by emailing [email protected] or calling 101 quoting serial 1318 of 01/04.

Sandra is now urging more parents in the village to keep a watchful eye on their children.

“It’s frightening to think this can happen so close to home,” she added.