TWO people have been arrested and remain in police custody after a child was reportedly 'grabbed' and 'dragged' across Bridgwater town centre.

The incident, which took place in broad daylight at 4pm on Monday, August 5, was reported as passers-by, who saw a young boy in distress accompanied by a man and woman.

After police arrived at the scene, the boy, aged just twelve-years-old, told officers that a man had grabbed him in Albert Street before dragging him across Broadway, and as far as Cornhill.

Police say he is due to give a formal statement at a specialist interview suite.

A video circulating on social media recorded by a member of the public who intervened shows the boy being held by a man whilst visibly panicked and repeating the words 'get off of me'.

A man in his 60s and a woman in her 40s, both of no fixed abode, were arrested in the evening of Thursday, August 8.

Inspector Sarah Knight, of Bridgwater's neighbourhood policing team, said: "We're taking this incident very seriously and it's being investigated by detectives.

"The child is safe with his family and, while shocked and upset, thankfully he wasn't badly hurt.

"We're very grateful to the members of the public who quickly realised something wasn't right, intervened and called 999.

"We’re also aware of inaccurate claims being made on social media, and there is no evidence to support them.

"This is of course a concerning incident, but I'd like to reassure you that there have been no other such incidents reported."

Avon and Somerset Police have advised that amid speculation, it is important that nothing is shared online which could prejudice any future court case.

If you have any information which could help with the investigation, call 101 and give the reference 5224204812.