POLICE say they are keeping an open mind over reports of an alleged attempt to abduct a child.

Officers were called to an incident involving a nine-year-old girl in Durham Road, in South Stanley at around 9.30am on Monday (July 20).

The incident was widely circulated on Facebook, with several posts suggesting that the child had suffered injuries during an attempted abduction involving a white van.

However police have today said they are keeping an open mind on the incident and have asked that “misleading messages” be removed from social media.

A spokesman for Durham Police said: “Officers are keeping an open mind surrounding the circumstances of this incident and cannot confirm at this stage whether there has been any malicious intent.

“Investigating officers are aware that there have been some misleading messages circulated on social media that have understandably caused concern amongst the local community, particularly in relation to a white van being involved and that the nine-year-old suffered injuries.

“This is not the case and request that any posts suggesting otherwise be deleted in order to prevent any unnecessary concerns.

Police are appealing for anyone with further information on the incident to come forward.

In particular, they want to speak to a woman who was in the area and may have witnessed the incident, along with a man described as wearing a yellow high-vis T-shirt.

Anyone with information is asked to ring Durham Police on 101 and ask for Sgt 993 Dave Clarke.