09/05/2014

Police Thank Public Following CCTV Toddler Appeal

Police have thanked members of the public for their response to a CCTV appeal in relation to an incident at Derby's Intu shopping centre.

A shopper contacted police after a man appeared to take her 21-month-old boy by the hand outside Boots at about 10.30am yesterday, 8th May.

As a result of footage released by officers, an 80-year-old man contacted police this morning, believing it was him in the CCTV.

The man has been interviewed and detectives are satisfied that he was acting with good intentions. No further action will be taken.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Lamb said: "We are very grateful to the response from the public and to the man who contacted us and was later interviewed.

"The gentleman was acting with good intentions, believing that the young boy had become separated from his mother.

"The man was a little confused and thought the child's mother was somebody else, and had tried to do a good deed in reuniting them."

The incident has prompted police to issue advice to members of the public about what to do if they spot a child who they believe is alone.

This includes:

• Stay still with the child and do not lead them away from where you have found them;

• Ask the child where their parents or guardians are, and look around to see if you can spot them;

• Consider asking other passers-by if they know where the child’s parents might be;

• If after a few minutes the parents or guardians have not been located, take the child to the nearest shop and contact a member of staff immediately.

(CVS/CD)

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