POLICE are trying to track down an Audi Q5 which was used in a kidnapping last year.

A victim of the kidnapping – which happened in Cardiff between December 11 and December 12 2020 – was driven from the city in a grey Audi Q5 bearing false registration plates to an address in Hemel Hempstead from where a successful rescue operation involving officers from several police forces was carried out.

South Wales Police Major Crime Investigation Team continues to investigate the incident. 12 suspects from north-west London have been charged in connection with the kidnap and remanded in custody.

The victim is being supported by specially trained officers.

A key line of enquiry for the investigators is to recover the grey Audi Q5 used by the gang to transport the victim from Cardiff to Hemel Hempstead.

It is believed this car may be in the north London or Hemel Hempstead area, and that it may have been a hired or borrowed vehicle that needed to be returned to the company or owner by Monday December 14 2020.

South Wales Police is appealing for any information regarding the whereabouts of this vehicle or it’s correct registration. It is believed to be an Audi Q5 ‘S’ Line. The year of manufacture is believed to be between 2017 and 2020 and the vehicle is Daytona Grey, which has a pearl effect.

Detectives want to hear from any companies which may have hired a grey Audi Q5 in 2020 between December 1 and December 31; or from any owners of a grey Audi Q5 in the north London or Hemel Hemsptead areas who may have had their Audi Q5 serviced, or other work done on it at a garage leading up to Monday December 14 2020 on which date it may have been collected.

South Wales Police wants to reassure the public that this appears to have been an isolated incident.

Anyone with information can call the Major Incident Room at Cardiff Central Police Station on 029 20571530 or use the major incident public portal https://mipp.police.uk/operation/62SWP20B25-PO1

Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or fill in an anonymous form on their website.

After receiving your call or a completed anonymous online form, Crimestoppers create a report that brings together all the information given, ensuring it doesn’t contain any information that could identify you.

People with information are asked to quote Occurrence reference 2000450215.