Police are appealing for witnesses after a young boy said he was being held against his will in a van.
A member of the public received a call from the boy, who said his name was Julian.
The eight-year-old said he needed to speak to the police as he was being detained in the van near the Palace Pier in Brighton.
Police searched the area after the call, at 8.45pm on Sunday, but there was no sign of the boy or van.
Police want to hear from Julian, his parents or anyone who saw anything unusual near the pier.
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