Men try to kidnap a two-year-old girl in Ringwood

TWO men approached her mother and daughter before picking her up and fleeing with her two-year-old child to a nearby apartment complex.

Officers investigating the kidnapping attempt, which took place between 10.40am and 10.50am at The Mount, called witnesses to come out.

A woman and her two-year-old daughter were approached by two men who took an interest in her dog.

Then one of the men picked up her daughter and ran with her to a nearby apartment complex. The child was released after the dog bit the man on the leg.

The young girl and her mother are supported by specialists who at this early stage are trying to establish the exact circumstances of what happened and are currently considering it as an attempted kidnapping.

There will be an increased police presence in the area, as police are conducting initial investigations to identify those responsible.

The two men were described as white, in their late 30s, both approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, wearing hats, one wearing light blue jeans and the other wearing dark jeans.

Detective Inspector Janine Bradley said: “We fully appreciate that this incident will have a significant impact on the community and we want to assure the public that we take this report very seriously. Our staff conducts extensive investigations in the local area – including house-to-house visits, video surveillance surveys and there will be high-visibility patrols in the area to reassure the community.

“If you see our employees and have information related to this incident, please talk to them.

“It happened in a residential area in broad daylight and we would beg anyone who may have seen or heard what happened to come out. Maybe you know of someone who has suffered a dog bite in his leg today? Any information, no matter how small or insignificant you think it is, could really help our ongoing investigation and identify those responsible.

“Similarly, we would like to ask locals to review all CCTV or ringing camera recordings they may have, who may have captured moments before, during or after the incident to contact us.

Please anyone who has information should call 101, quoting 44220185316 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.