A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of the abduction and sexual assault of a six-year-old girl.
The youngster was allegedly taken into woodland near a disused railway track then bundled into a van in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, on August 17.
Police launched an urgent appeal to find the suspect, and today confirmed they had arrested a 23-year-old man.
He remains in custody for questioning.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “We thank the public for their help so far and we are continuing to appeal for information.”
Officers believe the schoolgirl was snatched on Warne Avenue at around 4pm.
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She was then led down a path towards a football field and assaulted, it is understood.
The child was reunited with her family a short time later, but parents were warned to be “extra vigilant”.
Tameside Police Det Supt Richard Hunt said on Thursday: “He’s obviously grabbed a child and what I would say to members of the public is that they need to be extra vigilant.
“A child was playing in this area and a chap who was hanging around has taken a child and thankfully within a few minutes we’ve got her back.
“Parents need to consider the circumstances of what I have mentioned and I would suggest they need to be extra vigilant with their children whilst we progress this as quickly as possible.”
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Cops previously arrested a 35-year-old man but he has since been released with no further action taken.
Anyone with information is urged to contact officers on 0161 856 9262 or LiveChat quoting incident 2270 of 17/08.
