UPDATED: A young Island woman with special needs is today (Sunday) recovering at home after a terrifying attack in Shanklin last night, when a man approached and threatened the 18-year-old before trying to forcibly get her into a van.
An investigation is underway after it was reported to Police that an unknown male, wearing a balaclava mask, jumped out of a white Ford Transit van on Green Lane as the innocent teenager walked along the road
In an even further shocking timeline of events, it is understood that the masked individual then put something sharp into the girl’s back and told her to ‘get in the f****** van’. He then tried to physically force the frightened girl into the van.
Thankfully, the local teen managed to run away and raise the alarm bringing a stop to the possible attempted abduction.
On Friday, it is reported that a man wearing a mask and driving a dark coloured 4×4 ‘watched’ a girl as she walked past Oaklyn Gardens off Green Lane at around 19:30, however no approach was made by the driver of the vehicle.
The victim’s family are urging Islanders to be very aware and not to allow children out on their own, especially after dark.
UPDATE @ 15:20 – Hampshire Constabulary have this afternoon confirmed that officers are working with the 18-year-old teenager to establish the facts following last night’s incident, which is being treated as an attempted abduction.
Police say they would like to reassure the public that the situation is being investigated.
UPDATE MONDAY @ 09:21 – Police are today set to speak to a young teenager after she reported seeing a white van pass her three times on Saturday evening, near to where Saturday’s attack took place.
Following Island Echo’s publication of the shocking story, the young teen has come forward to say that she witnessed a white van acting suspiciously in the Sandown Road area of Shanklin, with the vehicle driving past her three times whist she waited at a bus stop.
The A3055 Sandown Road runs parallel to Green Lane, where the alleged assault took place.
UPDATE MONDAY @ 10:08 – Police have this morning confirmed that the alleged attempted abduction on a 18-year-old girl did not take place.
Following further enquiries, including speaking to the alleged victim, Hampshire Constabulary say they are now satisfied that the incident did not take place.
Police would would like to reassure the public that the allegation was taken seriously and thoroughly investigated, however they are certain that no offences were committed.
