Police are appealing to identify a woman who may have witnessed an alleged attempted abduction of a child near Petersham Meadows last week.

A 10-year-old girl escaped unharmed on Wednesday, September 18, when a man allegedly followed her and grabbed her arm as she was cycling to school along the towpath at about 8am.

Officers from Richmond’s CID want to speak to a woman, possibly in her 30s, who spoke to the man.

The woman is described as Asian, with a long face, possible double chin, blue eyes, black hair and was wearing a green and blue knee length coat, a grey Eastpak backpack and was possibly barefoot or wearing flip flops.

TDC Alex Staggs, the officer in the case, said: “We are appealing to this unidentified woman to contact us.

“We are also appealing to anyone who was in the area of the towpath near to Petersham Meadows in Richmond on September 18 that may have seen this woman, or who knows of her whereabouts, to contact us.”

Anyone with any information that could assist police are asked call 020 8721 5932 and speak to the TDC Alex Staggs or Detective Sergeant Jon Turner, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of abduction and later charged with two counts of committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence.
    He was remanded in custody and will appear at Kingston Crown Court on October 2.