Boy escapes abductor

The boy was taken to a police station after the incident

Detectives have appealed for help after an 11-year-old boy's claim that he was abducted by a van driver.

The boy, from Colchester, Essex, claimed he managed to jump out of the van while it was moving.

Police said the boy was allegedly grabbed by a man in a white van in Princess Drive, Colchester at around 1530 GMT on Friday.

Detective Sergeant Mark Merry said: "Obviously the most important thing is that the boy has been found, but we need help from the public to piece together where he was and when."

Not harmed

The boy was last seen 100 yards from his home by a school friend.

"The victim has told police that... he was approached by a man who put his hands over his mouth and put him into a Ford Transit-style van via the side door", police said.

The boy was not harmed, although he had an injury to his head which he said was caused as he jumped from the van.

He was found by a member of the public in Chelmsford, 20 miles away from his home, at 0545 GMT on Saturday.

Following his escape the boy said he tried to flag down motorists without success,

He then went to a petrol station on the A12, where he asked for help.

Description issued

The van driver is described as white, in his 30s, slim, and with a freckled face.

He was wearing jeans with holes in the knees and paint on them, a black bomber jacket, and a black baseball cap.

At the time of the abduction, the boy was wearing black trousers, white shirt and tie and carrying a rucksack.

Anyone who saw anything related to the abduction attempt is asked to contact Essex Police.