Attempted abduction of teenage girl was a ‘false alarm’

Police have described a report of an attempted abduction in Berkhamsted yesterday (Sunday, August 23) as a ‘false call made with good intent’.
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Police

An Online Watch Link (OWL) email sent out to Neighbourhood Watch members in the town initially said that around midday, a male driving a black Suzuki SX4 S-cross van had attempted to pick up a 14/15-year-old on Ringshall Road, travelling towards Berkhamsted.

But Herts Police now say the caller in fact saw a father with his teenage daughter.

A Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesperson said: “Following police enquiries, we would like to inform the public that an attempted abduction did not take place in the Berkhamsted area on Sunday, August 23.

“The Online Watch Link (OWL) message was sent after Hertfordshire Constabulary received information about a suspicious incident that occurred within the Thames Valley area, with a vehicle believed to be involved possibly heading into Berkhamsted.

“OWL was used as a method of appealing to the public for information.

“However, following enquiries made by Thames Valley Police, this was found, although made with good intent, to be a false call.

“The reporting person had actually seen a father with his teenage daughter.”