POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an alleged child abduction in Colchester. 

A man has already been charged with the alleged offence, which took place in Taylor Court on October 12, when a boy and a girl - both aged 11 - are said to have been abducted.

Mawande Sicwebu, 27, of Holmes Road, Halstead, was arrested on October 13 and appeared at Colchester Magistrates Court the following day.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on November 11.

Officers are now appealing to trace any outstanding witnesses, including a man called Tom who helped a girl who was found in East Stockwell Street.

They are also appealing for information about the occupants of a dark colour car seen in Taylor Court at 4.27pm on the day of the alleged offence as well as a woman who was carrying a bag.

Officers are also aware of a separate incident in Red Lion Walk which happened at around 4.20pm on the same day where a man approached two females, possibly teenage girls, and put his arm over their shoulders.

They want to speak to anyone with information about this incident too.

Anyone with information should contact DC Mark Peacock at Colchester CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.