A MAN allegedly tried to kidnap two young children by luring them from a busy city centre.
Thames Valley Police were called just after 4pm on Thursday.
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The caller said a man had tried to lead two children away from the adults they were with in Oxford.
Officers arrested a 39-year-old man on suspicion of attempted kidnap.
He remains in police custody and an investigation is underway.
The leader of the Oxford Community Independent Group on Oxford City Council, Edward Mundy, said incidents like this are “very rare” in the city.
He told This is Oxfordshire: “It is so important that we all exercise common sense on social media and elsewhere.
“Thankfully, while hugely distressing, incidents such as this are very rare, Oxford is a safe city.
“Saying this, our city centre is very busy at this time of year, with many tourists and other visitors.
“Criminals can see this as an opportunity.
“I can only advise people to be vigilant, to what is going on around them and especially in regard to their own and other’s children, and to report suspicious activity to the police on 101 non emergency or 999 emergency.”
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call us on 101 quoting the reference number 43250401541.”
