Police say two men in balaclavas left a white Ford Transit van and tried to grab a boy near Selworthy Road on 1 November. Call 101 quoting 5226355342.

Police are investigating a report that two men tried to grab a boy in Weston-super-Mare on Sunday 1 November.

Avon and Somerset Police published its appeal on 3 November. The force said the incident is believed to have happened near the junction of Selworthy Road and St Ives Road, in the Bournville area of the town.

What the police said happened

According to the force’s statement:

  • two men approached the boy and tried to grab him
  • the men were dressed in black and wore balaclavas
  • they had got out of a white Ford Transit van
  • they did not make physical contact with the child

A parent of the child reported it to police after they returned home at 8.45pm, the force said.

What officers are doing

Inspector Paul Chaplin said: “This is a concerning incident and we’re working to identify these two men and establish the full circumstances of what happened.”

“Officers attended within minutes of the call being received and have spoken to the boy and his family. We will continue to update them as our investigation progresses.”

The force has not said that anyone has been arrested. It has not given any further description of the men or the van.

What it means for you

The police want to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time. They also want any doorbell or CCTV footage that could help.

  • Call 101 and give the reference number 5226355342
  • or use the force’s online appeals form
  • or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

If you live near Selworthy Road or St Ives Road and have a doorbell camera, the footage from Sunday evening is what the force is asking for. Check it before it is overwritten.

If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999.

We will update this page if the police release more information.