Police have revealed they currently do not believe any child abductions took place in Enfield following reports of two alleged incidents in May.

Last month a man and a woman were arrested on suspicion of attempted child abduction after a “suspicious incident” involving a white van in the Enfield Lock area.

There were also reports circulating about a 10-year-old boy who may have been abducted in the borough – though police at the time said they were not linking the two.

Detective chief superintendent Treena Fleming has today (Tuesday) said that she currently does not believe any children were abducted on either occasion.

She said: “I fully understand the concerns from parents and residents in Enfield following recent reports of a suspicious incident that occurred on Saturday, 15 May in the Enfield Lock area involving a white van and then a separate incident on Tuesday, 18 May whereby a 10-year-old boy was reported missing.

“Please be reassured that extensive enquiries have been conducted on both of these incidents and at this time I do not believe that any offences of child abduction have been committed on either occasion.”

She continued: “Thankfully incidents of child abduction are very rare, but when allegations relating to public safety are received they are taken very seriously indeed.

“There has been a great deal of coverage on social media around these two incidents and whilst I understand the need to be updated on such important matters,  I would respectfully ask the local community to allow us the time and space to investigate and to refrain from engaging in speculation that can unnecessarily increase the fear of crime and cause great upset amongst our communities.”

She reiterated that if she has fears over public safety she will ensure everyone is aware.

The pair who were arrested on suspicion of attempted child abduction in Enfield Lock were both bailed last month and are set to return on a date in mid-June.

To stay up to date on local policing information follow @MPSEnfield. To contact police in an emergency dial 999 or call 101 in a non-emergency situation.