Arrests after men in balaclavas force man into car

Eight people have been arrested after a man was allegedly forced into a vehicle by men in balaclavas.

Surrey Police said the "serious incident" happened on Rough Rew, Dorking, during the early afternoon of 26 April.

Officers said the man, in his 30s, has now been found following video footage appearing to show him being "forcibly placed into a dark-coloured car by two men wearing balaclavas".

Five men and three women have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap and "linked offences", according to Surrey Police.

Police said they have been remanded into custody.

The man was assessed at hospital, but did not sustain any "life-threatening" injuries, the force added.

Surrey Police said in a statement they were "aware of online speculation and circulating misinformation".

They urged the public to not share "unverified information, which can jeopardise the investigation and cause unnecessary alarm".

Det Ch Insp Gareth Hicks said officers did not believe there was a wider threat to the local community, though he added it had been a "distressing time".

He said officers were investigating to understand the "full circumstances" of what happened.

Mr Hicks urged anyone with information to come forward.

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