DETECTIVES are urging East Lancashire parents to be vigilant after the kidnap.

Det Chief Insp Joanne McHugh said: “This was a stranger. This man was not known to this little girl.

“It’s extremely worrying but fortunately these incidents are very rare. Our advice is to remain vigilant and to ensure that you always report any suspicious behaviour, and just to be mindful that you know where your children are and that they are being looked after.

“It’s important we find the man responsible so families can go about their lives again.”

When asked how many officers were hunting the man, DCI McHugh said specialist officers had been drafted in, and patrols had been stepped up. She added: “This is an extremely serious offence which we are investigating and taking very seriously.”