DUDLEY police have moved to quash speculation that there have been abduction attempts on children in the Netherton and Merry Hill areas.

Borough cops say they are aware of concern expressed on social media about two incidents in which children were reportedly approached by men in BMWs.

But they announced this evening (Wednesday)on Facebook that "early indications suggest this was unlikely to have been an abduction attempt and instead perhaps linked to other criminality".

Officers say they are taking the matter seriously and they continue to make enquiries to trace the vehicles and individuals involved.

A spokesman said: "Abductions by strangers are extremely rare...that said we would always ask people to report suspicious activity to police on 101 at the earliest opportunity. Reports are always taken seriously and investigated based on the information from the accounts given."