A 26-year-old man has been arrested after a schoolgirl was allegedly abducted on the way to school and raped.

Police arrested the man on suspicion of rape at around 8pm following a call from a member of the public.

He is now in police custody following the incident in Merton, South London.

Officers from the South West Command Unit had been conducting enquiries today to locate the man after an allegation of rape was received shortly after 7am in the North Place area.

A Met Police spokesman said: “Media and members of the public are thanked for sharing our appeals.

“The victim and her family have been informed. They continue to be supported by specially trained officers.

“We remind people to please be mindful of sharing information via social media that could identify the alleged victim, or affect any potential future proceedings.

“A Section 60 Order that was authorised for the entirety of the Boroughs of Merton and Wandsworth, granting police additional stop and search powers, as a result of fears of serious violence, and remains in place.”