Kidnapped African girl dumped in Derby street

A TEENAGER who was snatched from the streets of an African capital as she walked to school three years ago has been dumped in Derby.

Police say the 17-year-old was left in the city by a man who let her out of a car and told her to "find the nearest police station".

After receiving help from passers-by, the girl went to Roe Farm Lane station in Chaddesden.

Detective Inspector Paul Tatlow said the girl told his officers she had been in the UK for three years but had no idea where she had been held.

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DI Tatlow said: "It is a very unusual case for us.

"At this early stage, we do not know why this man chose to bring her to Derby, if she has even been to Derbyshire before, or if there is any link to the city.

"From the date of birth and the information she has given us so far, we believe she was snatched on the streets of Banjul, the capital of Gambia, as she walked to school three years ago.

"She was then brought into the UK through various stop-off points in Europe, including France.

"But the girl has no recollection of where she has been living for the past three years.

"Although our investigations are only just under way, we do not believe she was brought into the country to work in prostitution."

DI Tatlow said the teenage girl was dropped off in Chaddesden on Thursday afternoon by a man driving a dark blue car. She arrived at the station at about 6pm.

Officers have been supporting her and are trying to trace her movements in Derby and identify the car and driver.

DI Tatlow said: "We know from talking to her that seven or eight people whom she spoke to in Chaddesden offered to help her.

"Some told her she could use their mobile phones because, by doing so, the police would come to her.

"But we understand she was told by the man that dropped her off to ask for directions to the police station and that is what she was determined to do.

"At the moment, we are trying to find out more about exactly where in Derby she was dropped off. She has told us she was walking for around 40 minutes before she started asking people for directions.

"For us, we are very much working backwards, trying to trace her movements from the time she arrived at Roe Farm."

The woman is 5ft 7ins tall and she was wearing a black and white polka dot top.

Anyone with information is asked to call Derbyshire police on 101.