A 26-year-old man is set to face court after allegedly trying to kidnap a five-year-old child in Canberra's CBD.
The man allegedly grabbed the child, who was not known to him, about lunchtime on Saturday in Petrie Plaza.
Police said the man ran towards a laneway holding the child, but the child's mother called out and members of the public chased him.
The man then allegedly let go of the child and dropped a knife.
Members of the public grabbed and restrained him before police arrived to arrest him.
Accused man faces abduction and weapon charges
Police took the man to the ACT Watch House, where he was charged with two offences: unlawfully taking a child and possessing a knife in a public place.
He is expected to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday.
Detective Superintendent Jason Kennedy said police were unable to provide further details as the matter was now before court.
"But what I would like to do is just thank the Canberra public that did assist in getting this child back," he said.
"We do thank the public for that."
Superintendent Kennedy said several people nearby had chased the man and taken the child back to the mother.
Anyone with information or phone footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1800 333 000.
Police say the hotline accepts information given anonymously.
