Man held after attempted kidnap of woman attacked by van driver in Andover

Police have arrested a man following an attempted kidnap in Andover.

Officers from Hampshire Police were called at 5.32pm on Monday 2 March after a woman in her 50s was hit by a white van, before being grabbed by the driver and pulled towards the back of the vehicle on Micheldever Road.

She managed to fend off the man and run away. The woman phoned police and was taken to hospital to receive treatment for injuries to her knee, wrist and nose. She has since been discharged from hospital.

Police have described the suspect as a white male in his 20s or 30s, slim build, with dark hair, wearing a green fleece.

A 28-year-old man from Newquay has been arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnap and remains in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Dal Andrews, from Northern CID, said: "The woman and her family are being fully supported by officers as we continue our investigation into this incident.

"I appreciate the understandable concern that an incident such as this will cause within the local community, but I would like to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to find out what has taken place.

"Local officers are in the area, carrying out house-to-house enquiries and reviewing CCTV footage. To help with our investigation, we would like to hear from anyone who saw what happened and has not yet spoken to police. If you have any information, please get in touch with us.

"We will also be carrying extra patrols in the area, so please speak to a uniformed officer if you have any further information, concerns or questions."

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