Police rescue boy from kidnappers

A boy kidnapped and held hostage for more than 24 hours has been reunited with his family unharmed, say police.

Scotland Yard said the 11-year-old was abducted by a man and a woman as he walked home from school in Southall, west London, on Wednesday afternoon.

Two hours later a phone call was made to his parents demanding a ransom of £40,000 and threatening his life.

Police rescued the boy from an address in Southall on Thursday night. Seven men and four women have been arrested.

'Traumatised'

One hundred and fifty officers including armed police, flying squad officers and members of the Serious Crime Unit were mobilised, with help from the local Asian community.

The boy, said to be "shocked and traumatised", was found unharmed in a locked bedroom. He was taken to hospital to be seen by a doctor.

Metropolitan Police Det Supt Rick Reynolds said: "A threat was made to the boy's life and a demand for a substantial amount of cash was made.

"Police were notified and a large-scale operation was mounted.

"At approximately 1800 GMT last night [Thursday] intelligence was received about a particular location in Southall where the boy was actually located."

He was recovered from a bedroom at the address and is now being interviewed by specially trained officers.

Police said although there were 85 kidnaps in London last year it is extremely rare for a child to be abducted.

A full investigation into the kidnapping is under way.