Carers incorrectly identified as kidnappers stopped by stinger

A police force which used a stinger to stop a car carrying a man and his two carers after a member of the public reported a kidnap, which was incorrect, said they believed there to be a "real and credible threat".

Gloucestershire Police said a 999 call reported two men were forcing a woman into the back of a car on George Street, Nailsworth, at around 16:50 BST on 28 April.

Police stopped the car on Stroud Road and arrested the two men for kidnapping. They were de-arrested a few minutes later, and one man was taken to hospital as a precaution.

"I can understand what a shock this must have been for those travelling in the car at the time," said Martyn Murawa, roads policing inspector.

"And once the circumstances became clear, it was explained that we were responding to a concern for someone's safety."

The force said another man in the car sought medical advice for a thumb injury following the incident.

Officers arranged for the recovery of the vehicle and the repair of one tyre, which was damaged during the incident.

Murawa said the 999 call they received was made with "good intent".

"We take all reports of kidnap extremely seriously, and based on the 999 call from a concerned member of the public and the information they provided, we believed there was a real and credible threat to the occupant of the vehicle," he said.

"Our priority was to bring the car to a stop safely, without putting other road users at risk, in order to safeguard the reported victim."

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