A RUMOURED child abduction attempt in Middlewich was in fact a Good Samaritan helping a lost and distressed schoolgirl, police have confirmed.

Reports have circulated on social media in recent days that a man attempted to coerce a schoolgirl into getting into his vehicle near to Cledford Primary School last Wednesday, June 19.

The rumours are likely to have spread due to a heightened vigilance among parents following a genuine incident of a similar nature in Weaverham the day before.

But after looking into the incident in Middlewich, police have now quashed the rumours, explaining that the man was actually a Good Samaritan trying to help.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “Officers are aware of a rumour circulating in the Middlewich area of reports of the attempted abduction of a teenage girl near to Cledford School on Wednesday, June 19.

“We would like to reassure that following enquiries, officers are able to confirm that the man did not attempt to abduct the girl, nor did he attempt to coerce her into getting into his vehicle.

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“All parties involved have been spoken to and officers are satisfied that it was an innocent encounter, where the man had stopped to assist the teenager who was lost and visibly upset. The man also allowed the girl to use his mobile phone so she could contact her parents.”