POLICE investigating a report of a child being abducted now say the incident did not happen.

A large-scale police investigation was mounted last night in Felling Gateshead following a report that a child had been forced into a white van.

Following the report at 8.15pm last night, officers conducted searches and door-to-door inquiries.

Shortly after 1am, Northumbria Police announces it was satisfied that an offence had not taken place.

A spokesperson for the force said: "Police investigating reports of a child being forced into a white van are now satisfied that an offence has not taken place.

"Officers investigating the allegation have carried out rigorous lines of enquiries and it has been established that the incident did not happen."

Social media posts claiming a seven-year-old girl had been forced into white van in Coldwell Street went viral last night as concerned members of the public tried to spread the word to help find her. 

Superintendent Karl Wilson, who has been leading the inquiry, 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."

Northumbria Police said no child was ever reported missing in the Felling area.