UPDATE: Man Charged With Kidnap After Teenage Girl Approached In Three Bridges

A man has been charged after a teenage girl was approached by a stranger in the Three Bridges area of Crawley on Wednesday morning, October 13th.

The man was wearing a high-vis jacket when he approached the girl, 14, just after 8am.

She was on her way to school, but he took her to an adjacent area off the road and searched her clothing before cycling off.

The following day, (Thursday, Oct 14), David Peter Young, 32, a chef of Garfield Close, Ifield, Crawley, was arrested in town at 11.15am.

He has been charged with kidnap with intent to commit a relevant sexual offence, kidnap, impersonating a police officer and two breaches of a sexual harm prevention order. 

Young will be held in custody until his appearance at Lewes Crown Court on Friday November 12. 

At the time of the incident, Superintendent Marc Clothier said:

"We understand that this arrest will impact communities. The girl is safe and unharmed and is receiving support from officers, working with her family.

“We want to reassure people we have not received any similar reports at this time and there is no current risk to anyone in the community in relation to this case.

“You will see more uniformed patrols in the area and we encourage you to stop and talk to us if you have any concerns.

“If you have any information that would assist our investigation, please call us on 101, quoting Operation Lonsdale.

"If you do see any behaviour that causes you concern, please always call 999 right away.

“We understand some people may want additional reassurance when interacting with a lone police officer and when you are alone.

"If this is the case, genuine officers can use their police radio on loudspeaker to talk to the operator in the police control room.

"The operator can confirm the identity of the officer, that they are on duty and carrying out legitimate policing business.

"You can also ask a passer-by to observe.

"Off-duty officers intervening in a crime in action or where someone is vulnerable, and not carrying a radio, will quickly call 999 for back up.”