Chippenham man arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnap of child
There was a second, unrelated incident in the area involving a 12-year-old boy
Last updated 2nd Feb 2025
Members of the public may see an increased police presence in Chippenham following two reported incidents in which children say they were approached by men they did not know.
There is no evidence to suggest that the two incidents are linked.
In neither incident were the children physically harmed or detained.
In the first reported incident, a 12-year-old boy was approached by a man in Woodlands Road at the junction with Downing Street on Wednesday 29 January, at about 3.10pm.
The boy says he then ran away from the man who is described as being mixed race, around 6ft tall, of a medium build, aged in his 30’s, wearing a black hoodie, dark denim shorts and a black ‘covid’ style face mask.
In the second incident, which took place at about 8.15am on Friday morning, 30 January, a 14-year-old girl was approached by a man in a car as she walked down Union Road.
He repeatedly offered her a lift which she declined.
The man was described as being middle aged, white but with a tanned complexion and in his mid 30s.
He has thinning straight black hair and was wearing rectangular glasses. He was wearing a black long sleeved t-shirt and blue jeans.
Wiltshire police have arrested a 52-year-old man on suspicion of attempted kidnap after he repeatedly offered a 14-year-old girl a lift in his car.
The man has been taken into custody for questioning.
Detective Inspector Penny Andrews also added that: “We are also aware that a photo of a man has been circulating on social media, particularly on Snapchat among schoolchildren, as a supposed suspect.
“This man is not linked to either offence and the photo appears to have been taken from social media. I would ask the public to refrain from speculation about the incidents."
Extra patrols are being carried out in the area and officers have been liaising closely with local schools to provide reassurance.