A Line of Duty star has revealed her horror after three men with a black car tried to snatch her 11-year-old son from a London street and how the police failed to investigate.
Sherise Blackman, who acted as cop Ruby Jones in Line of Duty, said her son was walking home from school in Beckenham, Bromley, when two men on the street and another man in a black car tried to grab him on Friday.
The actress, whose character was dramatically shot dead as she defended a police convoy from masked hitmen in episode four of the ratings-grabbing drama, said her son got off at a different bus stop than usual that day because the bus was on diversion.
After the bus drove off, a black car pulled up alongside the boy and the man inside asked where he was going and offered him a lift home, Ms Blackman said.
Sherise Blackman (pictured), who acted as cop Ruby Jones in Sunday’s Line of Duty finale, said her son was walking home from school in Beckenham, Bromley, when two men on the street and another man in a black car tried to grab him on Friday
Ms Blackman took to Instagram to post about the terrifying ordeal the family wen through
The actress (pictured), who played the leader of a team of Authorised Firearms Officers providing security to an armoured van that collects and transports Jimmy Lakewell from HMP Blackthorn, said her son got off at a different bus stop than usual that day because the bus was on diversion
Sensing danger, the boy started to run away but the two other men started chasing him.
He ran into Croydon Road Recreation Ground to find help when he spotted two teenagers playing basketball.
Ms Blackman said the two men followed her son toward the court and told the teenage boys he was with them, at which point the boy said he didn’t know them.
She added that the two teenagers then blocked the entrance and told her son to run home.
Ms Blackman told the Standard: ‘He did say ”I’m going home” and the man then said ”hop in, I’ll give you a ride” at which point my son was like that’s not normal and he kind of started to hop foot it away.’
‘He saw the basketball court and saw two teenage boys playing basketball and he ran in there behind them.
The boy ran into Croydon Road Recreation Ground (pictured) to find help when he spotted two teenagers playing basketball
‘The two men then followed him into the tennis court and said to the teenage boys ”oh he’s with us” at which point he [Ms Blackman’s son] said ”I don’t know them”.’
The teenagers then blocked the entrance to the basketball court and told Ms Blackman’s son to run home, she said.
As soon as he arrived home, Ms Blackman’s son told his parents what had happened.
She immediately called the police and was told they would visit her home on Sunday, May 2.
Ms Blackman said she felt as though the police were trying to ‘fob it off’ when they took a statement from her son and that no suspects have been identified.
She said her interaction with police left her ‘very dissatisfied’. She added: ‘They were asking questions like have you got any issues with other boys and do you have beef with other kids.
‘I could see where they were going with this and I was like no it wasn’t that. My son is a very smart little boy – he sensed danger. But they were trying to fob it off.’
She said the police told her they couldn’t investigate because a crime hadn’t happened.
She then posted about the incident on Instagram to her followers and wrote: ‘I thought long and hard about posting this, however at the end of the day our son maybe shaken up but he is SAFE at home with us!
‘I don’t want any parent to be posting about their missing child in the coming days/weeks/months!!! So I’m raising the alarm, feel free to share!
She added that the two teenagers then blocked the entrance and told her son to run home. Pictured: Croydon Road Recreation Ground
‘This is real and very serious, we have reported to the police but please keep your kids close and talk to them about these dangers!
‘Grateful to GOD this wasn’t a different post for us.’
Ms Blackman went on to describe the assailants as two white men wearing hoddies and masks and another white man in a black car.
The Metropolitan Police said: ‘Police were called at 16:40hrs on Friday, 30 April to reports of two males acting suspiciously in Whitmore Road, Beckenham. Officers arranged to take a statement from the complainant. No suspects were identified.
‘The investigation has been closed; an intelligence report was recorded and should any further evidential opportunities arise this decision will be reviewed.’