POLICE investigating an alleged kidnap in Cardiff, have released CCTV of a van believed to be involved in the offence which was believed to have been in Newport recently.

The images have been made public as part of an appeal for information to trace the van, thought to have initially been stolen from the Cyncoed area of Cardiff.

The stolen van is thought to have then been fitted with false number plates from a near identical black Renault Traffic van from the Pontypridd area.

South Wales Police were called to reports of a suspicious incident in Brithdir Street, Cathays, at approximately 10am on Friday, 17 November.

Following extensive CCTV enquiries, footage confirms:

• A black Renault Traffic van exiting nearby Hirwaun Street and crossing Cathays Terrace into Flora Street shortly after 10am that day.

• The same van re-emerging from Flora Street around 90 minutes later turning right onto Cathays Terrace

• The van has then travelled to Newport, where it is again seen on camera in Commercial Road, Pill.

A 34-year-old man was located late the following night by police officers in the Pontprennau area of Cardiff with a serious hand injury.

Three men have been charged with kidnap offences and a fourth man – 30-year-old Joel Harris, from Ely - is wanted.

A reward of up to £3,000 is being offered for information given to the Crimestoppers charity that leads to the arrest of Joel Paul Harris.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Wales, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: "“We believe a black Renault Traffic van was involved in the kidnap and are appealing for help from the public.

“We need to know where the black Renault Traffic van has been since it was stolen from Cyncoed on November 4th and where it is now. Has it been abandoned, stored somewhere, burnt out, or even sold on under a new false identity?

“We are also keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the van in the Docks or Pill areas of Newport on either Friday 17th or Saturday 18th November.

“If anyone has information or concerns then I would urge them to please contact South Wales Police.”

Officers believe the van’s original number plate was RO16 KKR, before it was changed to CE67 OEC and then featured the blue European logo.

The owner of a Renault Traffic van which originally had the legitimate CE67 number plate, but has recently been changed to a personalised number plate, lives in the Pontypridd area and is in no way connected to this investigation.

Robert Tinto, 27, from Bristol, Nathaniel Mcleane 29, from Splott, and Leroy McCalla, 33 from London, have been charged with kidnap offences and a four-week trial is due to start on May 14 at Cardiff Crown Court.

Anyone with information regarding the Renault Traffic van or the whereabouts of Joel Harris is asked to contact South Wales Police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting incident number *452363.