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Police continue to investigate disturbance at Dover BP where customers restrained a man

An investigation into an alleged 'abduction attempt' at a petrol station which saw members of the public restrain a man continues.

Police have confirmed a man arrested following a disturbance on Tuesday morning has been passed into the care of healthcare professionals.

A still from the video, which revealed the moment a group tied a man up at Whitfield petrol station
A still from the video, which revealed the moment a group tied a man up at Whitfield petrol station

Officers were called to the BP in Whitfield, Dover after a mum reported seeing a stranger get into the front seat of her car while she was in the shop.

She says her nine-year-old son was in the car at the time.

Onlookers leapt to her assistance, with a group taking matters into their own hands.

Video footage shows a man yelling as he is pressed against the floor.

The group apprehending him worked together to wrap cable tie wires around his wrists.

Police arriving at the scene
Police arriving at the scene

The video then shows a police arriving.

Police said they were called to the forecourt at 7.42am after a man "is reported to have entered a stationary vehicle before he was restrained by some members of the public".

He was arrested on suspicion of attempting to steal a motor vehicle.

Today, a police spokesman said: "The arrested man has been passed into the care of healthcare professionals and enquiries into the incident are ongoing."

Speaking after the incident, the mum, who wished to remain anonymous, said tit had been the "most scary thing" she had ever experienced.

She said: "I was in the shop and ran out to get my son out of the car. The man was sat in my driver's seat.

"I got my son out and screamed for help. My son is nine and has autism.

"He sat there, watching me pull my son from the car while I was screaming for help.

"I have no idea what he wanted. He didn't speak to me or my son.

"It is terrifying, I honestly have never felt so scared."

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