Police have confirmed that they have received reports of a child being forced into a van in Felling.
Northumbria Police said it received a call at 8.15pm on Saturday.
A force spokesperson said: "Police are carrying out enquiries after reports of a suspicious incident in Gateshead.
"At about 8.15pm police received a report of a girl being forced into a white van on Coldwell Street, Felling."
A police officer told a crowd of more than 50 worried parents shortly after 10.15pm that the force had not received any reports of a missing child so far.
However, officers could be seen going door to door making inquiries and more than seven police vehicles were at the scene.
