TWO young men were kidnapped by a group of males near the University of Bedfordshire in Luton on Wednesday (February 1).
Witnesses saw three Asian males get out of a silver Vauxhall Astra in Church Street, assault two other Asian males and then force them into the car before driving off towards Park Street.
One of the victims, an 18 year old, managed to escape from the vehicle near Capability Green and alert the police.
He said his friend was still in the car and that threats to his life had been made.
The second victim, who is 14, was located at the Galaxy Centre a short while afterwards, and said he had been continually assaulted in the car after the first victim escaped.
Det Serg Louisa Glynn said: “This has been a particularly traumatic experience for two young men who had been walking through town when they were assaulted and subjected to violent assaults. There appears to be no real motive to the attack but I would like to hear from any independent witnesses who may have seen the events which led up to the victims being put into the vehicle.
“I’d also like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time, or anyone else who may have information – however small or insignificant they think it is – that could help us. Don’t dismiss your information as unimportant – even tiny details which don’t seem relevant now might become useful later on in the investigation.”
If you have information relating to this incident, contact DS Glynn, in confidence, on 01582 473273, the non emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.
Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.