Child abduction Droylsden: man arrested after 7-year-old girl sexually assaulted in woods

Greater Manchester police have arrested a man suspicion of the abduction of a seven-year-old girl in Droylsden.

Officers believe the girl was taken by a man on Warne Avenue and into a wooded area near to the disused railway track towards Manchester Road.

Reports suggest she was then taken to a van where she was sexually assaulted, before being taken back to the woods and finding her own way to a nearby park, around 4pm on Wednesday (17 August).

Police arrested 35-year-old man on suspicion of abduction and sexual assault on Wednesday evening but he was later released.

Police are also seeking a second man, said to have been acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the incident.

This second man was pictured on Gainsborough Road and heading towards The Snipe with his jacket removed around 30 minutes after the incident.

A police spokesman said: “We thank the public for their assistance so far and ask that anyone with information contacts us first to help our investigation.

“If you see the man, call us on 999 quoting incident 2270 of 17/08/2022.

“Other details – including sightings on CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage - can be passedvia GMP’s LiveChat facility here or by calling 0161 856 9262.

“Information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

• Police confirmed on Friday a 23-year-old man has now been arrested and have continued their appeal for information.