An 18-year-old man has been arrested following the alleged attempted kidnap of a 12-year-old girl while she was on her way to school in Leeds.
West Yorkshire Police said the teen was arrested on Monday after a nationwide appeal for information.
His arrest comes after a schoolgirl was grabbed by her waist and carried to a wood near Old Run Road, Hunslet, last Tuesday.
Police said the youngster was on her way to school before an unknown man approached her near to the M621.
In a statement, police said: “He grabbed her around the waist and picked her up and carried her across the road towards a secluded wooded area behind an electricity substation.”
The girl managed to fight herself free as the alleged incident was interrupted by a passer-by who phoned 999.
Detective Inspector James Entwistle, of Leeds District CID said: “The victim and her family have been left shocked and upset by what happened and we are continuing to support them as we progress the investigation.
“We recognise the understandable concern that an incident such as this will be causing in the community and we are continuing to work closely with our colleagues in the local neighbourhood policing team to reassure people.”
Officers said the 18-year-old man remains in custody and enquiries are still ongoing.
