AN ALLEGATION that a man had tried to entice a young girl into a van has proved to have been unfounded.

Police received a report that a man in a white van had asked an 11-year-old girl to get in the vehicle, in Leeds Road, Shipley, on Monday.

Police said today that the report had now been thoroughly investigated and had proved to be unfounded.

A spokesman said it appeared to have been a genuine report. A senior investigating officer had been appointed to lead the investigation, supported by specialist resources to trace witnesses and the vehicle in question.

The spokesman said: "Police would like to reassure the public that any incident where a child is reported to be at risk will be taken extremely seriously.

"As in all such cases, officers worked closely with the girl’s family throughout the investigation. "