TWO men were seen being forced into a white van yesterday.

A witness said they were kidnapped by a group of men and pushed into the van which then drove away.

About 40 minutes after the incident police stopped a van in a street nearly three miles away and arrested the driver, a 36-year-old man, and a woman aged 31 on suspicion of kidnap.

But there was nobody else in the van.

The pair are now in custody for interview and further enquiries.

The incident was seen in Grafton Road, Worthing.

The van was stopped and the pair were arrested in The Strand, in the Durrington area of the town.

Chief Inspector Jon Carter said: “We need to find the two men seen being put in the van to ensure their safety as soon as possible.

“Extensive enquiries are already being carried out.

“Anyone who saw the incident in Grafton Road, saw a white van being driven between there and Durrington, saw anybody getting out of it between those locations, or who has any other information about what happened, is asked to contact the police at once on 101 or online quoting serial 1401 of 25/04.

“Enquiries are at an early stage and the motive for this incident has not yet been established but we are considering the possibility that those involved are known to each other and that this is not a random attack.”

Detective Sergeant Simon Smith of Worthing Investigations said: “We received a report of two men being forced into a van at 9.50pm but when we stopped the vehicle at 10.30pm the victims were nowhere to be seen.

“We are trying to establish what happened during that 40 minute window.

“Were you in the Worthing or Durrington area at this time and notice any suspicious behaviour involving a white van? If so we believe you could hold vital information to our investigation.

“We are urgently seeking the identity of the two men being seen to be put in the van and ensure their safety. If this is you and you are reading this, please make yourself known to police.

“If you would like to report any information please call 101 or report online quoting 1401 of 25/04. Alternatively, you can visit the Crimestoppers website or contact the independent charity anonymously on 0800 555 111."