Police investigate incident in Shrewsbury

The incident happened between 7pm and 7.35pm when a woman was approached by a man, reported to be known to her, as she walked towards Sutton Road bridge, Shrewsbury.

After talking for a short time, the man threatened the woman and persuaded her to sit in the front seat of a black Volkswagen Sharan people carrier.

The man then drove this vehicle to the area of Cross Houses, near Shrewsbury, before pulling into a lay-by to talk to the victim. Several cars are believed to have driven past the VW Sharan whilst it was parked, and investigating officers would like to hear from anyone who may remember seeing the vehicle at this point.

The VW Sharan drove further along the road and came up behind a man walking a dog in the direction of Cross Houses. The dog walker, who may have important information, is described as a white man, about 5'8" tall and of slim build, aged in his fifties, with short hair. He was wearing a tan coloured top and was carrying a dog lead, with the dog being described as being similar in size to a Labrador.

The driver of the black car then returned to the lay-by, travelling back in the direction of Atcham, where the victim was able to exit and run away from the car, at which point she called police.

The vehicle left in an unknown direction before being found at around 8.10pm in Bell Lane, Shrewsbury, near to the junctions with Bishop Street and Alfred Street.

A member of the public found an injured man, believed to be the driver, near to the car and called an ambulance, waiting with him until it attended. The man currently remains in hospital in a serious condition and his injuries are not being treated as suspicious.

DC Paul Rogers of West Mercia Police said: "Firstly, I would like to reassure members of the community that we are treating this as an isolated incident and that there is no increased threat to their safety.

"Officers from West Mercia Police are continuing to support the victim at this difficult time and ensure her safety and well being.

"Our investigations have identified a number of witnesses who may have important information. We urge them to contact us as soon as possible and we would particularly like to hear from the man walking his dog near Cross Houses.

"We would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen the car in the Bell Lane area of Shrewsbury at around 8pm that night."

You can call West Mercia Police on 101, quoting incident number 739s of 30 July if you have any information.

If you want to give information but don't want to give your name you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or use their anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers.org.uk . Crimestoppers are not part of the police, when you contact them you won't be identified. The only person who knows you have given information is you.