Overview
- A four‑year‑old boy was briefly taken from Haden Hill Park in Cradley Heath on Thursday June 18 and was found unharmed in nearby woodland after a short period.
- The following day, Friday June 19, a seven‑year‑old at Stevens Park, Quarry Bank, was approached by a man who asked if he wanted to ride the man’s bike and then threatened him when he refused.
- Police have issued different descriptions for the two suspects, with the Stevens Park suspect described as mixed‑race with dark brown afro‑style hair on a dark blue bike and the Haden Hill Park suspect described as a shorter black male in his late teens with curled hair.
- West Midlands Police have carried out area searches, are studying CCTV from both sites, have extra officers patrolling the parks and are urging witnesses to call 101 quoting log numbers 4707-190626 or 3966-180626 or to contact Crimestoppers.
- No arrests have been reported and both children were unharmed, but local concern has risen and investigators say they are keeping an open mind about whether the two incidents are linked while they gather more evidence.