Police are appealing for witnesses after a report of an attempted child abduction in Middlesbrough.  

Around 6:15pm on Saturday 29th October 2022, police received a report that a male had attempted to grab a six-year-old boy at a festival in Centre Square, Middlesbrough.  

The suspect is reported to have grabbed the boy by the wrist and attempted to pull him away from his mother.  

When the suspect did not succeed, he ran off in the direction of Corporation Road.

The suspect is described as a “brown male”, possibly Asian, aged in his 30s, 5ft 10” tall, skinny build, short dark hair with a spikey fringe and wearing a black zip-up jacket. The male had a mark on his right cheek. 

Any witnesses to the incident or anyone who may have information regarding the identity of the suspect, or anyone with CCTV or dash cam footage which may assist the investigation, is asked to contact Detective Constable Itsharm Ramzan at Middlesbrough CID on 101, quoting incident number 195418. 

Footage can also be uploaded directly here:

Independent charity Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111, or online at .