A four-year-old boy was snatched from a park near Dudley and later recovered from a woodland, triggering an urgent manhunt for a teenage suspect. The child had been playing near a fishing pond in Haden Hill Park, Cradley Heath, shortly after 3pm on Thursday while his mother looked after a baby nearby. He vanished for several minutes before police located him in a wooded area close to the park.
West Midlands Police have identified a suspect described as black, short in height, with curly hair, clean-shaven and wearing black clothing. They believe the incident is isolated but acknowledged the alarm it has caused. “We understand how concerning it is and understand the impact it will have in the area and to the local community,” a spokesperson said.
“Four-year-old abducted from Haden Hill Park while mother tended baby; later found in woodland; teenage suspect sought.”
Officers are in the “early stages of the investigation” and are studying CCTV footage from the park off Halesowen Road. Specially trained officers are speaking to the boy and his family to establish exactly what happened. Extra officers remained on patrol in the area on Friday to reassure residents.
Anyone who was in the park at the time or has mobile footage is urged to contact police on 101 quoting log number 3966-180626. Witnesses can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. A public portal has been set up for submitting evidence: https://wmp.uk.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/haden_hill.