SURREY Police have issued an appeal for witnesses after a Haslemere teenager reported an attempted kidnap at around 7.30pm in Chatsworth Avenue, Haslemere, on Saturday.

The alleged victim reported he was grabbed from behind by a slim man dressed in a black hoody and shining a torch, before he tried to push the teen into a van. The teenager managed to get away and ran home.

Waverley Borough Commander Inspector Gary Smith said: “We’d like to reassure residents this is a rare occurrence.”

Witnesses should call 101, quoting PR/45180128350.