A BOY who went missing for 90 minutes on Friday night has told police he was abducted.
Lincolnshire Police launched a major operation when the boy’s parents reported him missing from his home in Surfleet at 6.25pm.
The nine-year-old turned up at a relative’s home in Pinchbeck just before 8pm.
He has told police he was abducted from his garden, driven in an Audi and dropped off a couple of miles away at a playing field in Gosberton.
The Pinchbeck East Primary School pupil did not know the alleged offenders and was not hurt.
It has been suggested on Facebook that four men were involved but police have refused to comment.
Schools in the area have stepped up warnings about the dangers of strangers.
DS Lance Morgan, of Spalding CID, said: “This is a most unusual incident and we are still ascertaining the precise details of what is alleged to have taken place.
“We have not received any reports of suspicious incidents of a similar nature but would urge anyone who has information to contact us in confidence.”
During the incident various organisations were on stand-by including a helicopter from RAF Kinloss in Scotland, Great Yarmouth coastguard, a police search advisor, an Environment Agency boat and dog handlers from the police force and the fire service.
DS Morgan is appealing for anyone who may have seen the boy as he made his way from the playing field at the junction of the A152 and B1397 (Belchmire Lane) towards Pinchbeck to contact police.
The boy walked along the A152 Spalding Road, passing through Surfleet and, at the crossroads with Milestone Lane/Herdgate Lane, turned right onto Milestone Lane. He continued in to Langhole Drove, turned left onto Herring Lane and then walked in to Rotten Row before making his way to a relative’s home.
The boy was wearing jeans and a blue fleece with red stripes. He has short, fair hair.
Yesterday, Tom Verity, headteacher at Pinchbeck East Primary School, said he would be holding a “stranger danger” assembly, as well as sending letters to parents making them aware of the situation.
He said: “Our pupils’ safety is paramount. We want them to know what to do should the situation arise.”
Surfleet Seas End Primary School also issued warnings to pupils.
l Anyone with information should contact Spalding Police on 101.