South Woodford: Two men charged after ‘brazen’ kidnapping in front of ‘shocked’ witnesses | UK News

Two men have been charged after a man was allegedly beaten and dragged into a vehicle in a “brazen” kidnapping, police said.

A number of “shocked” witnesses saw two men exit a gray Ford van and hit a man several times before dragging him into the back of the vehicle “in broad daylight” and away.

A third suspect was also inside the van during the attack in South Woodford, north London on Sunday afternoon, Metropolitan Police said.

A black BMW, the driver of which had spoken to the victim moments before the van arrived, closely followed the Ford as it left the scene on Queen Mary Avenue, E18.

Officers, who were called around 3 p.m. to report that a man had been abducted, traced the van to nearby Chigwell.

The vehicle was stopped at Brooks Parade, where three men fled.

Two men – in their twenties – were arrested nearby and subsequently charged.

The victim – in his 30s – was picked up from the back of the van and taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Police have asked for the public’s help in locating the third suspect in the van, as well as the driver of the BMW.

Detective Sergeant Sajid Asghar, of the Met’s East Zone Command Unit, said: “This was a brazen act on the part of the suspects, carried out in broad daylight in front of a certain number of shocked witnesses.

“Fortunately, officers responded quickly to bring the victim to safety, and we are now appealing to the public to help us apprehend and bring to justice the dangerous individuals responsible.”