Mr Lawlor 

Man bailed over Lanzarote 'kidnap bid' on girl, 3

 Dominic Harris PA 

A 62-year-old man arrested in connection with the alleged abduction of a three-year-old girl in the Canary Islands has been released on bail.

He was held in London on suspicion of attempted kidnap on Wednesday after a public appeal was launched by Thames Valley Police.

In January last year a family from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, was on holiday in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote, when a man is thought to have attempted to kidnap the girl in a shopping centre.

The victim's father noticed she was missing, left a store and spotted the youngster being led around a corner into an alleyway by a man who was holding her by the hand.

He shouted out and ran up to his daughter, pulling her away from the man who then left the scene.

The family were on the beach a short time later and saw the same man, who spoke fluent English, sitting between some rocks and acting suspiciously.

The victim's father confronted the suspect, but he left before police arrived.

But the quick-thinking family took photos of the man in an attempt to identify him.

The man was bailed to return to Milton Keynes police station in early May.

Man Arrested And Bailed In Connection With Attempted Abduction Of Milton Keynes Girl In Lanzarote

About My Area: Milton Keynes

Published: 12th April 2013 08:04 

A 62-year-old man has been arrested and bailed in connection with an attempted abduction in Lanzarote.

The man, who is from the London area, was arrested in London earlier this evening (10/4) following a media appeal.

He was arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnap, and has been bailed to return to Milton Keynes Police Station in early May.

The arrest is in connection with an incident in the resort of Costa Teguise on Monday 30 January 2012, when a three-year-old girl was led away from her family in a shopping centre.

Investigating officer Det Con John Swallow said: "We arrested a man in the London area in connection with this incident earlier today.

"The investigation is ongoing and I want to thank the public for their continued help."

Brit father in Maddie cops hols kid probe

Exclusive

By ANTHONY FRANCE

Published: 21 hrs ago

12 April 2013

A BRIT arrested over an alleged holiday child abduction attempt probed by Madeleine McCann cops is a father of two.

Married James Lawlor, 62 — also known as John — was held at his North West London home on Wednesday night.

Police had launched an appeal after a little girl’s dad said he stopped a man taking her from a mall in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote.

They received a tip-off after releasing a picture of the suspect taken by the three-year-old’s dad, of Milton Keynes, Bucks.

Landscape gardener Lawlor lives in Harrow with cleaner wife Ann, 56, and has two daughters — solicitor Rowena, 27, and council worker Denise, 22.

A woman answering the door last night declined to comment.

A neighbour said: “We are all shocked. He seemed a very nice man.”

Officers confirmed a 62- year-old held in Harrow was still being quizzed last night on suspicion of attempted kidnap.

Met Police probing Maddie’s disappearance in Portugal in 2007 are working with Thames Valley cops on the Lanzarote case.

The dad who confronted the man in January last year later saw him at a beach.

Man, 62, released on bail after being arrested over the attempted kidnap of a British girl, 3, in Lanzarote

 -Man, 62, held in London hours after police appeal for help to find the suspect

 -Toddler from Buckinghamshire snatched on holiday in Costa Teguise

 -Suspect is released on bail until next month after questioning

 -Father ran out of shop to find 'British man' leading daughter away

 -He shouted and pulled her away from the suspect who left the scene

By Rob Cooper

PUBLISHED: 09:43, 12 April 2013 | UPDATED: 09:43, 12 April 2013

 A man held on suspicion of attempting to kidnap a three-year-old British girl as she enjoyed a family holiday has been released on police bail.

The child was led away from her parents and taken down an alleyway while her family looked round a shopping centre in the Spanish island resort of Lanzarote.

The girl's father shouted out and ran up to his daughter, pulling her away from the man who then left the scene.

A 62-year-old man from London was arrested by police on Wednesday on suspicion of the attempted kidnap of the child, from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, following a media appeal.

Location: A family from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, were on holiday in Costa Teguise when a man, believed to be British, attempted to kidnap the girl in a shop

Police confirmed today that he has been released on bail until next month.

The incident has chilling similarities to the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann, who went missing from her apartment in Portugal in 2007 and has never been seen since.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: 'A 62-year-old man from London arrested in connection with an attempted kidnap in Lanzarote has been released on police bail.

'The man has been bailed to return to Milton Keynes Police Station in early May.

'The arrest is in connection with an incident in the resort of Costa Teguise on Monday 30 January, when a three-year-old girl was led away from her family in a shopping centre.'

The British girl's family were on the beach a short time after the shopping centre incident and saw the same man, who spoke fluent English, sitting between some rocks and acting suspiciously.

The victim’s father confronted the suspect, but he left before police arrived. But the quick-thinking family took photos of the man in an attempt to identify him.

The middle-aged man was described as white, with pasty skin, of stocky build with broad shoulders.

He was around 5ft 8ins to 5ft 9ins tall, 40 to 55 years old, with short dark hair and a dark moustache.

Police want to know more about a team of British cleaners with a white van who worked in the resort where Madeleine, above, disappeared

Similarities: Madeleine McCann, left, pictured just before she disappeared in 2007, and a computer generated image of how she may look now

The incident happened on January 30 last year, but police said the delay in issuing the pictures was due to Spanish police having to exhaust their investigation before the appeal to find the man could move to Britain.

A near six-year search for Madeleine has yet to solve the mystery of her disappearance from the Algarve resort of Praia da Luiz on May 3, 2007.

There have been dozens of alleged sightings and leads over the years, but nothing has come close to establishing whether she is alive or dead.

In the latest development last month, detectives believe a team of British cleaners may hold the key to her whereabouts.

Owners of apartments in the Portuguese holiday complex where Maddie and her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were staying when she vanished have been asked about cleaners in the area who had a white van.

One property owner said police told him they are looking for a group of six to eight British cleaners who drove around the Praia da Luz area in a white van, working in holiday apartments.

Operation Grange was set up by the Metropolitan Police two years ago at the request of Prime Minister David Cameron following a plea by Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry, of Rothley, Leicestershire.

MADELEINE MCCANN COPS QUIZ KIDNAP BRIT SUSPECT  

12th April 2013

By Jerry Lawton 

A BRITISH gardener was last night being quizzed over the alleged attempted kidnap of a three-year-old girl on holiday.

Police hunting Madeleine McCann, who went missing in Portugal, are liaising with officers holding James Lawlor over an incident in Lanzarote.

The dad-of-two was arrested hours after police released a photograph of a man taken by the girl’s parents.

Last night Mr Lawlor, 62, was being questioned by Thames Valley Police on behalf of Spanish officers.

The girl’s father chased after his daughter on a shopping trip in Costa Teguise in January 2012 after spotting her flashing trainers disappearing round a corner.

He said: “There was a man leading her off by the wrist. I shouted: ‘Oi! What the f*** are you doing?’

“I grabbed her but he wouldn’t make eye contact and walked off.”

Later the family thought they spotted the man near the beach and took a photo. The suspect denied any wrongdoing, claiming he was on a drying-out weekend organised by Alcoholics Anonymous and thought the girl was lost.

Her 36-year-old dad from Milton Keynes, Bucks, reported the man to Spanish and British police.

On Wednesday officers swooped on Mr Lawlor’s two-bedroom maisonette in Wealdstone, north west London, which he shares with wife Ann, 59, and two grown-up daughters.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Grange, which is reviewing Maddie’s case, said: “We are aware of the incident and are liaising with Thames Valley.”

The McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell said Kate and Gerry were aware of the incident.

Man arrested over Lanzarote 'abduction' of toddler

11 April 2013 Last updated at 10:31

A father says he saw his daughter being led away from a shopping centre in Costa Teguise

A 62-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an alleged abduction of a three-year-old girl in Lanzarote.

A family from Milton Keynes were in Costa Teguise in January 2012 when they spotted, and stopped, their daughter being led away from a shopping centre.

A man was arrested in London on Wednesday evening on suspicion of attempted kidnap and has been remanded in custody.

Thames Valley Police said the investigation was ongoing.

The family were visiting a shopping centre in the tourist resort when the father spotted his daughter was missing.

He left a store and saw the toddler being led round a corner into an alleyway by a man, who was holding her hand.

He ran to his daughter, pulling her away from the man who then left the scene.

The family saw the same man on the beach a short time later and confronted the suspect, but he left before police arrived.

Man held in connection with alleged abduction of three-year-old girl in Lanzarote

James Edgar

Thursday 11 April 2013 

Police in London have arrested a man in connection with the alleged attempted abduction of a three-year-old girl in the Canary Islands.

The 62-year-old was arrested after pictures of a man accused of trying to kidnap the girl in a shopping centre in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote, were released.

The family of the three-year-old were on holiday in January last year when a man is alleged to have attempted to kidnap the girl in a shopping centre.

The father of the girl noticed she was missing and spotted his daughter being led around a corner into an alleyway by a man who was holding her by the hand.

He shouted and ran up to his daughter pulling her away from the man, who then left the scene.

The family were on a nearby beach a short time later and saw the same man, who spoke fluent English, sitting between some rocks and acting suspiciously.

The victim's father confronted the suspect, but he left before police arrived.

The family were able to take photographs of the man in an attempt to identify him before he left.

Detectives yesterday released the images in a bid to identify the man.

Following the arrest, investigating officer Detective Constable John Swallow said: "We arrested a man in the London area in connection with this incident earlier today.

"The investigation is ongoing and I want to thank the public for their continued help."

Man Held Over Lanzarote Kidnap Claims

A 62-year-old is arrested in London just hours after a man was allegedly seen trying to lead away a girl from a shopping centre. 

7:02am UK, Thursday 11 April 2013 

The father of the girl said he saw the suspect on a beach later in the day

Police investigating the alleged attempted abduction of a three-year-old girl in the Canary Islands say a 62-year-old man has been arrested.

The arrest came hours after pictures of a man accused of trying to kidnap the girl in a shopping centre in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote, were released.

The youngster's father spotted a man holding his daughter's hand and leading her into an alleyway last January.

He shouted out and ran up to his daughter, pulling her away from the man who then left the scene.

The photos of the man were taken by the girl's family, who saw him on a beach a short time later.

The father confronted the suspect but he left before police arrived.

Detective Constable John Swallow, of Thames Valley Police, said the 62-year-old man was arrested in London.

"The investigation is ongoing and I want to thank the public for their continued help," he said.

Man held over holiday 'kidnap bid'

 Updated: 11 April 2013 03:33

 By pa.press.net

A man arrested by police wanted in connection with an alleged abduction of a three-year-old girl in the Canary Islands

Police have arrested a man being hunted in connection with an alleged abduction of a three-year-old girl in the Canary Islands.

The 62-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnap in London, after a public appeal was launched by Thames Valley Police.

In January last year a family from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, were on holiday in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote, when a man is thought to have attempted to kidnap the girl in a shopping centre.

The victim's father noticed she was missing, left a store and spotted the youngster being led around a corner into an alleyway by a man who was holding her by the hand.

He shouted out and ran up to his daughter, pulling her away from the man who then left the scene.

The family were on the beach a short time later and saw the same man, who spoke fluent English, sitting between some rocks and acting suspiciously.

The victim's father confronted the suspect, but he left before police arrived.

But the quick-thinking family took photos of the man in an attempt to identify him.

Following the arrest, investigating officer Det Con John Swallow said: "We arrested a man in the London area in connection with this incident earlier today.

"The investigation is ongoing and I want to thank the public for their continued help."

Man, 62, arrested over the attempted kidnap of a British girl, 3, who 'was lured away from her father in a shop in Lanzarote'

 -Man, 62, held in London hours after police launch appeal to find the suspect

 -Toddler from Buckinghamshire snatched on holiday in Costa Teguise

 -Father ran out of shop to find 'British man' leading daughter away

 -He shouted and pulled her away from the suspect who left the scene

By Rob Cooper

PUBLISHED: 13:55, 11 April 2013 | UPDATED: 13:55, 11 April 2013

A man was today arrested on suspicion of trying to abduct a three-year-old British girl in the Canary Islands.

A family from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, were on holiday in Costa Teguise in Lanzarote when a man attempted to kidnap the girl in a shop.

Police were today questioning a 62-year-old man who was arrested in London, after a public appeal was launched by Thames Valley Police. 

Location: A family from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, were on holiday in Costa Teguise when a man, believed to be British, attempted to kidnap the girl in a shop

The young girl's father noticed she was missing, left a store and spotted the youngster being led around a corner into an alleyway by a man, who was holding her by the hand.

He shouted out and ran up to his daughter, pulling her away from the man who then left the scene.

The incident has chilling similarities to the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann, who went missing from her apartment in Portugal in 2007 and has never been seen since.

The family were on the beach a short time later and saw the same man, who spoke fluent English, sitting between some rocks and acting suspiciously.

The victim’s father confronted the suspect, but he left before police arrived.

But the quick-thinking family took photos of the man in an attempt to identify him.

The middle-aged man was described as white, with pasty skin, of stocky build with broad shoulders.

He was around 5ft 8ins to 5ft 9ins tall, 40 to 55 years old, with short dark hair and a dark moustache

Following the arrest, investigating officer Det Con John Swallow said: 'We arrested a man in the London area in connection with this incident earlier today.

'The investigation is ongoing and I want to thank the public for their continued help.'

Police want to know more about a team of British cleaners with a white van who worked in the resort where Madeleine, above, disappeared 

The incident happened on January 30 last year, but Thames Valley Police spokesman said the delay in issuing the pictures was due to Spanish police having to exhaust their investigation before the appeal to find the man could move to Britain.

A near six-year search for Madeleine has yet to solve the mystery of her disappearance from the Algarve resort of Praia da Luiz on May 3, 2007.

There have been dozens of alleged sightings and leads over the years, but nothing has come close to establishing whether she is alive or dead.

In the latest development last month, detectives believe a team of British cleaners may hold the key to her whereabouts.

Owners of apartments in the Portuguese holiday complex where Maddie and her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were staying when she vanished have been asked about cleaners in the area who had a white van.

One property owner said police told him they are looking for a group of six to eight British cleaners who drove around the Praia da Luz area in a white van, working in holiday apartments. 

Operation Grange was set up by the Metropolitan Police two years ago at the request of Prime Minister David Cameron following a plea by Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry, of Rothley, Leicestershire.

Madeleine McCann-Style Abduction In Canary Islands Leads To Arrest Of British Man

PA/The Huffington Post UK

Posted: 11/04/2013 07:30 BST Updated: 11/04/2013 08:07 BST

Police have arrested a man hunted in connection with an alleged 'Madeleine McCann'-style abduction of a three-year-old girl in the Canary Islands.

The 62-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnap in London last night, after a public appeal was launched by Thames Valley Police. 

This man has been arrested on suspicion of trying to abduct a child

In January last year a family from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, were on holiday in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote, when a man is thought to have attempted to kidnap the girl in a shopping centre.

The victim's father noticed she was missing, left a store and spotted the youngster being led around a corner into an alleyway by a man who was holding her by the hand.

He shouted out and ran up to his daughter, pulling her away from the man who then left the scene. 

The family of the three-year-old took pictures of the man

The family were on the beach a short time later and saw the same man, who spoke fluent English, sitting between some rocks and acting suspiciously.

The victim's father confronted the suspect, but he left before police arrived.

But the quick-thinking family took photos of the man in an attempt to identify him.

Following the arrest, investigating officer Det Con John Swallow said: "We arrested a man in the London area in connection with this incident earlier today.

"The investigation is ongoing and I want to thank the public for their continued help."

Madeleine McCann police called in after attempted child-snatch in Lanzarote

By Keith Kendrick , Apr 11, 2013

Police investigating the Madeleine McCann disappearance have been called in after a dad stopped a man abducting his three-year-old daughter on holiday.

The horrified dad caught the man, who is also believed to be British, as the child was being led hand-in-hand down an alleyway on the holiday island Lanazarote. He only saw her disappearing because of her flashing trainers.

The Metropolitan Police's McCann review team confirmed it was now working with the Thames Valley force over the case.

Police said they had arrested a man in London in the connection with the alleged kidnapping who will be questioned today.

A spokesman said: "A 62-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an attempted abduction in Lanzarote.

"He was arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnap and is currently in police custody."

The girl's dad last night told Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry: "I hope we can help. The whole experience has been horrific - I hope something good can come out of it."

He confronted the suspect in Lanzarote at Las Cucharas shopping mall in Costa Teguise.

The 36-year-old, who does not want to be named, told The Sun: "I ran over and shouted at him. I then grabbed my daughter and he just kept his head down and walked off."

After making sure his girl was fine, he phoned police and went looking for the man. He spotted him apparently fondling himself at a nearby beach a few hours later.

The dad, who has three daughters, said: "He had a newspaper over his lap and his hand down his pants - there were three or four young girls playing on the beach.

"He jumped up and ran off. I gave chase and stopped him.

"I said, 'You'd better say something because I think you're a dirty pervert and I'm going to smack you.'"

The suspect spoke fluent English as he told the dad, of Milton Keynes, Buckingham, he had been on his holiday flight to the island and had intended to bring the girl to him.

The man, who slipped away, was white, with pasty skin and aged 40 to 55. He was around 5ft 8in tall, stocky, with short dark hair and a moustache.

Detective Constable John Swallow, leading the hunt, said: "We are working closely with Spanish authorities and Interpol."

The McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry are aware of the incident. It is very fortunate this child was found so quickly."

Madeleine disappeared from Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007.

HUNT FOR NEW MADDIE FIEND

ABOVE: Police wish to speak to this man in connection with an attempted child abduction in Lanzarote

“I believe he was an opportunist. If he’s innocent I want police to tell me that.”

The father of the abducted girl

11th April 2013

By Keyan Milanian

A BRIT has spoken of the “shocking” moment his daughter was caught up in a suspected kidnap bid that mirrored the Madeleine McCann case.

Police want to speak to the man after her dad intervened.

Doctors think two fits suffered by the girl, who was just three at the time of the terrifying ordeal, may have been brought on by stress.

The dad of three, from Milton Keynes, Bucks, had been shopping on holiday in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote, when his girl vanished.

He spotted her flashing trainers disappearing round a corner.

He told the Daily Star: “There was a man leading her off by the wrist. I shouted, ‘Oi! What the f*** are you doing?’ I grabbed her but he wouldn’t make eye contact and walked off.

“I think she was in shock and knew something was very wrong.”

Later the family spotted the man, believed to be British, again close to young girls near the beach and the dad took the photo.

The suspect denied any wrongdoing, claiming he was on a drying-out weekend organised by Alcoholics Anonymous and had thought the girl was lost.

The dad, who asked to remain anonymous, said the family reported the incident to Spanish police and British police when they returned home.

The incident bears frightening similarities to the McCann case, when three-year-old Maddie went missing in Portugal in 2007.

The dad added: “We’re lucky, we got her back.

“I believe he was an opportunist. If he’s innocent I want police to tell me that.”

Det Const John Swallow, of Thames Valley Police , said: “Anyone who recognises him or has information on his whereabouts should contact us.”

He is described as white with pasty skin, of stocky build with broad shoulders, 5ft 8ins-5ft 9ins, 40-55 years old, with short dark hair and a dark moustache.

Kate and Gerry McCann’s spokesman Clarence Mitchell said last night: “They’re aware of this.

“It is good news that the child was spotted and recovered very quickly by her father. 

“Scotland Yard have been contacted and are now liaising with the force.’’ 

Another source close to the McCanns said: “Again this is proof that British youngsters are potentially vulnerable while away on holiday."

Dad's horror as perv got seconds from making his girl, 3, into Maddie No2

McCann cops probe snatch bid 

Wanted ... suspect in pic taken by girl's dad

By TOM MORGAN

Last Updated: 11th April 2013

COPS probing Madeleine McCann’s disappearance were called in after a dad stopped a pervert abducting his daughter on holiday.

The three-year-old British girl was almost snatched in a Spanish island resort — echoing how Madeleine went missing at the same age in Portugal.

The horrified dad caught the man, who is also believed to be British, as the child was being led down an alleyway.

Map ... girl snatched in Costa Teguise

A photo he took of the suspect was released as UK cops launched an appeal yesterday.

The Metropolitan Police’s McCann review team confirmed it was now working with the Thames Valley force over the case.

The girl’s dad last night told Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry: “I hope we can help. The whole experience has been horrific — I hope something good can come out of it.” 

Scene ... hols spot where girl was taken

He confronted the suspect in Lanzarote at Las Cucharas shopping mall in Costa Teguise.

The 36-year-old, who does not want to be named, recalled: “I ran over and shouted at him. I then grabbed my daughter and he just kept his head down and walked off.”

After making sure his girl was fine, he phoned police and went looking for the man.

He spotted him apparently fondling himself at a nearby beach a few hours later.

The dad, who has three daughters, said: “He had a newspaper over his lap and his hand down his pants — there were three or four young girls playing on the beach.

Beach ... in Costa Teguise

Rex

“He jumped up and ran off. I gave chase and stopped him. 

“I said, ‘You’d better say something because I think you’re a dirty pervert and I’m going to smack you.’”

The suspect then spoke fluent English as he told the dad, of Milton Keynes, Bucks, he had been on his holiday flight to the island and had intended to bring the girl to him.

Missing ... Madeleine McCann

Enterprise News and Pictures

The man, who slipped away, was white, with pasty skin and aged 40 to 55. He was around 5ft 8in tall, stocky, with short dark hair and a moustache.

Det Con John Swallow, leading the hunt, said: “We are working closely with Spanish authorities and Interpol.”

The McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: “Kate and Gerry are aware of the incident. It is very fortunate this child was found so quickly.” 

Madeleine disappeared from Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007.

Hunt is on for child-snatcher

23:58 hrs [10 April 2013]

Suspect ... have you seen this man?

By KAREN MORRISON

Published: 12 hrs ago

COPS are hunting a man who tried to snatch a three-year-old girl from her parents holidaying in the Canary Islands.

The suspect – believed to be British – tried to kidnap the girl from the Lanzarote shop on 30 January last year.

When the victim’s father noticed she was missing, he left the store and spotted his little girl being led around a corner into an alleyway by a man holding her hand.

He shouted and ran up to his daughter, pulling her away from the man who then left the scene.

The family, from Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire, were on the beach a short time later and saw the same man, who spoke fluent English, sitting between some rocks and acting suspiciously.

Map ... girl snatched in Costa Teguise

The victim’s father confronted the suspect, but he fled the scene before cops arrived.

Luckily, the quick thinking family took photos of the man which have been released by police today, in an attempt to identify him.

The suspect is described as white, with pasty skin, of stocky build with broad shoulders, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 9ins, 40 to 55-years-old, with short dark hair and a dark moustache.

Investigating officer Detective Constable John Swallow said: “This is a very concerning incident in which a young girl was led away from her family by an unknown man.

“The victim’s father knew it was his daughter being led around the corner because he recognised her flashing trainers.

“The incident was reported to Thames Valley Police after initially being reported to police in Lanzarote and we have been making enquiries to try and establish the man’s identity since then.

“We are working closely with the Spanish authorities and Interpol on this case and will continue to do so.

“We have reason to believe he may be a British citizen as he spoke fluent English and made references to being on holiday.

“I am appealing for anyone who recognises the man in the images or has information on his whereabouts to contact police as soon as possible.”

Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or speak to Thames Valley Police on 101.

Man held over holiday 'kidnap bid' 

Police have arrested a man being hunted in connection with an alleged abduction of a three-year-old girl in the Canary Islands.

The 62-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted kidnap in London, after a public appeal was launched by Thames Valley Police.

In January last year a family from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, were on holiday in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote, when a man is thought to have attempted to kidnap the girl in a shopping centre.

The victim's father noticed she was missing, left a store and spotted the youngster being led around a corner into an alleyway by a man who was holding her by the hand.

He shouted out and ran up to his daughter, pulling her away from the man who then left the scene.

The family were on the beach a short time later and saw the same man, who spoke fluent English, sitting between some rocks and acting suspiciously.

The victim's father confronted the suspect, but he left before police arrived.

But the quick-thinking family took photos of the man in an attempt to identify him.

Following the arrest, investigating officer Det Con John Swallow said: "We arrested a man in the London area in connection with this incident earlier today.

"The investigation is ongoing and I want to thank the public for their continued help."

Suspect wanted by police over Maddie-style kidnap attempt in Lanzarote

Wednesday 10 Apr 2013 6:25 pm 

Wanted: The suspect hunted by police after a three-year-old British girl was snatched from her parents on holiday in Lanzarote (Picture: INS)

This is the man suspected of trying to abduct a three-year-old girl in the Canary Islands in a case that has echoes of the Maddie McCann disappearance.

His image was released by detectives in the hope that he may be traced following the incident in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote.

The man – believed to be British – led the girl off as she visited a shop with her family.

Luckily, her father noticed she was missing and saw her distinctive flashing trainers as she disappeared into an alleyway, holding the suspect’s hand.

After the girl was pulled from his grasp, the kidnapper fled.

The family, from Milton Keynes, later saw the same man ‘acting suspiciously’ at a beach but he again left after they took his photo.

Det Con John Swallow appealed for information and said: ‘We have reason to believe he may be a British citizen as he spoke fluent English and made references to being on holiday.’ 

The incident happened in January 2012 last year but photos could not be released by British officers until Spanish police had completed investigations of their own. 

It comes six years after three-year-old Madeleine McCann went missing from her apartment in Portugal and has not been seen since.

Dad takes photo of man he claims tried to abduct his daughter while on holiday

10 Apr 2013 00:50 

Detectives released the photo in a bid to identify the man who spoke such fluent English that they believe he is British

A distraught dad snapped this picture of a man who he claims tried to abduct his three-year-old daughter while they were on holiday in the Canary Islands.

Detectives released the photo in a bid to identify the man who spoke such fluent English that they believe he is British.

And they are now liaising with Scotland Yard officers still searching for Madeleine McCann, who was snatched from a ­Portuguese holiday flat in May 2007.

The girl’s family had been visiting a ­shopping centre in the popular Costa Teguise resort on Lanzarote when her dad spotted her being led away by a stranger.

He chased them down an alleyway and pulled his daughter out of the man’s grasp.

The dad-of-three, from Milton Keynes, Bucks, who does not want to be named, said: “We are lucky to have got her back.

"All the kids were scared. We kept them with us 24/7 after that. This ruined our holiday.” 

Do you recognise him? Man police want to speak to over abduction claims

The dad later spotted the same man on a beach and took these photos before he fled.

Police last night arrested a 62-year-old man in London on suspicion of ­attempted abduction.

Pictured: Suspect who 'tried to kidnap a British girl, 3, after luring her away from her father in a shop in Lanzarote' 

 -Toddler from Buckinghamshire snatched on holiday in Costa Teguise

 -Father ran out of shop to find 'British man' leading daughter by the hand down an alleyway

 -He shouted and pulled her away from the suspect who left the scene

 -Family later saw man on the beach acting suspiciously between rocks

 -They took photos of him, which were released by detectives today

By Simon Tomlinson

PUBLISHED: 11:49, 10 April 2013 | UPDATED: 12:32, 10 April 2013

A picture was released by detectives today of a man suspected of trying to abduct a three-year-old British girl in the Canary Islands.

A family from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, were on holiday in Costa Teguise in Lanzarote when a man - believed to be British - attempted to kidnap the girl in a shop.

The victim's father noticed she was missing, left a store and spotted the youngster being led around a corner into an alleyway by a man, who was holding her by the hand.

He shouted out and ran up to his daughter, pulling her away from the man who then left the scene.

The incident has chilling similarities to the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann, who went missing from her apartment in Portugal in 2007 and has never been seen since. 

Do you know him? Thames Valley Police have issued this photograph of a man they want to speak to in connection with the attempted abduction of a three-year-old British girl in Lanzarote

The family were on the beach a short time later and saw the same man, who spoke fluent English, sitting between some rocks and acting suspiciously.

The victim's father confronted the suspect, but he left the scene before police arrived.

But the quick-thinking family took photos of the man, which have been released by police today, in an attempt to identify him.

The suspect is described as white, with pasty skin, of stocky build with broad shoulders, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 9ins, 40 to 55 years old, with short dark hair and a dark moustache.

The incident happened on January 30 last year, but Thames Valley Police spokesman said the delay in issuing the pictures was due to Spanish police having to exhaust their investigation before the appeal to find the man could move to Britain.

Location: A family from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, were on holiday in Costa Teguise when a man, believed to be British, attempted to kidnap the girl in a shop

Investigating officer Detective Constable John Swallow: 'This is a very concerning incident in which a young girl was led away from her family by an unknown man.

'The victim's father knew it was his daughter being led around the corner because he recognised her flashing trainers.

'The incident was reported to Thames Valley Police after initially being reported to police in Lanzarote and we have been making enquiries to try and establish the man's identity since then.

'We are working closely with the Spanish authorities and Interpol on this case and will continue to do so.

'We have reason to believe he may be a British citizen as he spoke fluent English and made references to being on holiday.

'I am appealing for anyone who recognises the man in the images or has information on his whereabouts to contact police as soon as possible.'

Madeleine, left, and a computer generated image of how she may look now, six years after she disappeared

A near six-year search for Madeleine has yet to solve the mystery of her disappearance from the Algarve resort of Praia da Luiz on May 3, 2007.

There have been dozens of alleged sightings and leads over the years, but nothing has come close to establishing whether she is alive or dead.

In the latest development last month, detectives believe a team of British cleaners may hold the key to her whereabouts.

Owners of apartments in the Portuguese holiday complex where Maddie and her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were staying when she vanished have been asked about cleaners in the area who had a white van.

One property owner said police told him they are looking for a group of six to eight British cleaners who drove around the Praia da Luz area in a white van, working in holiday apartments.

Operation Grange was set up by the Metropolitan Police two years ago at the request of Prime Minister David Cameron following a plea by Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry, of Rothley, Leicestershire.