Line of Duty actor says police 'fobbed off' son, 11, after attempted kidnapping

An actor from BBC’s Line of Duty has claimed police “fobbed” off her 11-year-old son after he tried to report an attempted kidnapping.

The boy had been walking home from school in Beckenham, south-east London, when two men tried to lure him into a van on Friday afternoon, his mother Sherise Blackman said.

Two teenagers stepped in to protect the 11-year-old after he was chased by the men into a local park and sought refuge in a basketball court.

The two suspects, who have not been identified, fled the scene before the boy ran home and alerted his parents.

He is not believed to have suffered any physical harm but was left “very shaken” by the incident.

Ms Blackman, who played firearms officer Ruby Jones in the hit-series, said she was “extremely dissatisfied” by how the Met Police had handled the case.

She told the Evening Standard: “Once he got home, he was really shaken up, really scared. He told me and my husband what happened and we immediately called the police.

"(The police) were asking questions like, have you got any issues with other boys and do you have ‘beef’ with other kids.

“I could see where they were going with this and I was like, no it wasn’t that. My son is a very smart little boy, he sensed danger. But they were trying to fob it off.”

On Tuesday, Ms Blackman posted on Instagram that a full investigation has been launched, adding: "The power of social media! Sometimes it can work for good!"

Superintendent Andy Brittain, from the South Area BCU, which covers the Bromley borough, said the police's initial response was "not sufficient".

He added: "The matter was reviewed and detectives are carrying out further investigation which remains ongoing. CCTV of the area is currently being reviewed to identify any possible suspects.

"Detectives have been in touch with the boy's parents to update them on the investigation so far, and will continue to keep them informed of any developments.

"I want to reassure the boy's parents and the wider community that this incident is being fully investigated to establish the full circumstances of what happened."

One of the males is described as white, approximately 5ft 10in, while the second suspect is described as 6ft.

The Met said that no arrests have been made but inquiries continue.