A schoolboy reportedly fought off an attacker during an ‘abduction attempt’ in Chippenham on Wednesday afternoon (29 January).
The victim’s mother said that the incident happened as her 12-year-old walked home from secondary school at around 3.20pm.
It’s claimed a masked man attempted to grab the child in Woodlands Road – near Canterbury Street and Downing Street.
The woman said her son was ‘approached by a man who attempted to grab hold of him’, and he had a ‘car waiting on the corner of Downing Street with engine on’.
She added: ‘My son is very lucky and also knew how to defend himself.
‘Please talk to your children if they walk to and from school by themselves and please make sure they walk with their friends. Strength in numbers!’
Police have since launched an investigation into the incident, with detectives reportedly involved in the probe.
An an appeal for information, the force described the man as being of mixed race, aged in his 30s, about six-foot tall and of medium build.
He is thought to have been wearing denim shorts, a black hoodie and a black face mask.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage is asked to call Wiltshire Police on 101 quoting log 204 of yesterday’s date (29 January).