A young girl was abducted from a York street by a man who carried her into a garage and left her locked inside, police revealed today.

The mother of the five-year-old spoke this afternoon of her relief that her daughter had been found safe and sound.

She said her daughter was left alone for a matter of minutes on Tuesday as she played in an alleyway parallel with Trafalgar Street in South Bank.

The mother said: "My daughter was playing in the lane round the back with her sister and a couple of other friends.

"Two of the friends needed to go home, and my other daughter walked them round the corner. As far as we can make out, somebody picked her up and took her into one of the garages with what intention we don't really know.

"He didn't do anything, so we're not sure. As far as we can make out the reason he went was because she started crying and wanting to go, but he locked her in as he left by bolting the door on the outside.

"I'm not as angry as people think I should be because I am so relieved that it wasn't any worse. My daughter is fine. All he had done was undo her shirt at the front. As five-year-olds are, she's not particularly bothered. But it was very frightening and there aren't any children playing out around here at the moment.

"Everyone knows about what happened. I'd rather they knew the truth."

Other young mothers in the area today expressed their shock.

Sally Irwin, who has a one-year -old and a four-year-old, said: "Obviously I'm concerned as a parent that something like that is going on."

Louise Watkinson, who has a baby boy, said: "My husband saw the police. There's been loads of attacks on women round here lately, so this is an added concern."

Another woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "I'm well shocked. I'm disgusted that people can act like that."

Police said the man spent "some time with the child" in the garage and then left her there.

They added it was not clear whether the child was sexually assaulted, but she did not suffer any physical injuries.

The incident was reported to police at 5.51pm on Tuesday and the child is believed to have been abducted at 5.30pm that day.

The man is described as "young", but police cannot be any more specific about his age.

He is about 5ft 7ins, of average build, with short dark hair and is believed to have been wearing black trousers and a dark top.

A man has been arrested and questioned about the incident, though later he was released on police bail.

However, police emphasise that it is an early stage in the investigation and that it is extremely important they receive as much information as possible from the public.

Anyone with any information should ring York CID on 01904 631321.

Updated: 16:26 Thursday, June 21, 2001