POLICE have confirmed that there was no attempted abduction in York following reports of a van driver acting suspiciously.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police carried out a thorough investigation into the claim which reportedly happened in the Strensall area of the city on Friday night.

A force spokesperson said: "Following extensive enquiries in York linked to a report of a suspicious van and a claim that someone had been abducted in the Strensall area on Friday evening, North Yorkshire Police can reassure residents that there is nothing to be concerned about.

"Officers have been able establish conclusively that nobody had been forced into a van, nobody has been taken, and nobody was at risk.

"We are mindful that this has caused a great deal of concern in the local community and on social media.

"We thank people for supporting the investigation and we are pleased that we have been able to confirm without doubt that nothing untoward had occurred."