The suspect vehicle travelled the wrong way down the carriageway
The victim, who is aged in his 20s, was pulled from another vehicle and put into a blue Citroen Berlingo in Barwick Road at around 11.45am yesterday (Wednesday, 16 December).
Police located the van and pursued it, with the Berlingo ramming a police car at one point.
It was then driven the wrong way down the A12, still chased by officers, before coming to a stop near the junction with St Leonards Road in Poplar.
The victim was found in the back of the van, with injuries that police say are not life-threatening.
Two people have been arrested, but police say they have not yet located the driver.
Detective Sergeant David Doig said: “Due to the reckless and dangerous driving of the suspect vehicle, it was sheer luck that this fast time response did not result in injuries to members of the public or police officers.
“The incident took place in the middle of the day and a number of motorists on the A12 stopped their vehicles when they were faced with the van driving on the wrong side of the carriageway. I am keen to hear from those motorists.
“Please contact police if you saw any part of the kidnap in Forest Gate, the pursuit, or the vehicle when it came to a stop on the A12, particularly if you have dash-cam footage.
“No matter how insignificant you think your information might be, if you witnessed any part of this sequence of events please don’t hesitate. Make the call and share what you saw with us.”
Anyone who has information or who witnessed this incident is asked to call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC, quoting 3044/16DEC.
To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
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Tags: Newham, Forest Gate, A12, Poplar
