Kidnap boy rescued

An 11-year-old boy was dramatically freed by armed police after being held by kidnappers, it was revealed today.

The son of a wealthy businessman was snatched from a west London street on Wednesday. Officers from Scotland Yard's Kidnap Squad burst into a house in Southall last night. The boy was found in a locked room and was said to be "extremely distressed" but unharmed.

He was taken to hospital to be seen by a doctor before being re-united with his parents. The kidnappers had issued a "sizeable" ransom demand from the boy's family for his release. It is not known if any money was handed over.

Police seized a total of 11 men and women in connection with the kidnap. A number of addresses were raided.

The boy, who lives in Southall with his family, is believed to have been held alone in a room in the house throughout his ordeal. The snatching of the Asian boy was the first "kidnap for ransom" carried out recently.

In 1999 Greek shipping millionaire George Fraghistas was snatched by a gang near his London home. They demanded £5 million ransom but were trapped by police.

One of the most notorious kidnaps took place in 1969 when Muriel McKay, the wife of newspaper executive was kidnapped in London and a £1 million ransom demanded. Two brothers were arrested on a pig farm in Essex. Mrs McKay's body was never found.