This was recently reported on 9 June in one of Croydon's local newspapers

Report

This is an extract from the report:

Tonight's development comes just two weeks after police admitted they feared a paedophile gang could be operating in Croydon trying to snatch young girls, following two attempted abductions in 11 days.

In Woodside Green, Woodside, a young girl was followed by two men in a white car on May 21 at 8am.

The 14-year-old had originally been asked for directions by the same men less than 24 hours before but she was approached for directions again.

And, as she tried to help them, the passenger reached out from his window and grabbed her arm in an attempt to drag her inside the vehicle, but she was able to escape.

On May 10 a man tried to snatch a schoolgirl, 11, in Kenley and then chased her on foot for almost a mile.

She escaped after hiding behind a tree in Cedar Walk.

DCI Pete Thomas, who is investigating the Woodside and Kenley abduction attempts, previously admitted: "What is concerning is there has been a spike in the numbers of young girls being approached by strangers.

"Worst case scenario you cannot rule out there are a team of paedophiles working in the area."