Search called off after false reports of 'abduction of girl' in Gateshead

Police investigating reports a girl was bundled into a van and abducted in Gateshead are satisfied an offence has not taken place.

They received a report the girl was seen being forced into a white van on Coldwell Street, Felling.

Officers carried out rigorous lines of enquiries and have established the incident did not happen.

Superintendent Karl Wilson who has been leading the inquiry has thanked the public for their support and patience in this matter.

He said: "We have taken this report extremely seriously and after following all possible lines of enquiries we are now satisfied an offence has not taken place.

"Reports of this nature, understandably, concern our communities and can escalate on social media very quickly, as we would very much want should there be a child rescue alert situation.

"So I would like to thank the public for their support and concern in this matter while we've carried out this investigation.

"The incident has now been stood down and the investigation closed."