Van driver attempts to abduct boy

Police are hunting a van driver who made several attempts to abduct a 12-year-old boy.

The boy was cycling along Shapland Avenue in Bournemouth, Dorset, at 1000 BST on Tuesday when a man driving a white van tried to grab him.

The boy managed to cycle away but the man followed him down Shapland Avenue and tried to force him into the van three more times.

The boy escaped and went to a friend's house where he called the police.

Pc Lisa Walbridge said: "The boy was very frightened and shaken by this man's actions.

"I'd like to re-assure parents that this type of incident is very unusual and the boy did exactly the right thing here when he went to the home of a friend nearby."

Anyone who saw the incident in Shapland Avenue is asked to contact police.