A four-year-old boy was picked up and carried away by a stranger before his mum managed to rescue him.
Police received reports a child was picked up and carried over a road in Vale, Merseyside, on Tuesday (May 10) at around 12.45pm.
The child's mother told officers a man approached them outside Top Class Shoe Repairs on Walton Vale.
She alleges the suspect then picked up the boy and carried him across the road, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The mum followed and grabbed her son back and headed into a nearby shop.
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The stranger then walked off in the direction of Iceland, towards Rice Lane.
Officers say he is described as an Asian man in his early 30s, around 5ft 5in tall, of stocky build.
Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact them with more information, while, the mum posted a warning ton Facebook.
The warning has been shared by thousands of local residents.
Community Policing Inspector Sarah Rotherham said: "We have launched an investigation into this incident to establish the full circumstances.
"This took place in the day on a relatively busy road and we are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact us.
"I also urge people who were in the vicinity at that time to please check your CCTV and dashcam footage which may have captured the incident.
"I’d also like to assure everyone that we take any reports of this nature extremely seriously. We’ll act on all information provided and are absolutely determined to find this man to ensure that no such incidents happen again."
Anyone with information is asked to contact @MerPolCC or 101 quoting reference 20000320202. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
