Police are hunting a man who picked up a toddler from pram at Tesco Express

A mother was left horrified after her toddler was taken from her pram while her back was turned.

The woman had been pushing her child in a pram on Heysham Road in Lancashire when she stopped to get some money from a cash machine.

The mum reached under the pram and when she looked up, to her horror, a man was holding her 20-month-old daughter.

She screamed and immediately took back her child while the man fled the scene running through an alleyway behind a Tesco Express on Heysham Road.

The baby was not injured and no arrests have been made.

Police were called around 6.30pm on Wednesday (April 13) to Heysham Road, close to Tesco Express.

Officers have conducted numerous CCTV and investigative enquiries and are now appealing to the public for information.

Det Insp Andy Ellis, of Lancaster CID, said: “This is clearly a very concerning incident and we want to identify the man involved as soon as possible.

“Thankfully both mother and daughter were unharmed.

“It would appear at this stage the man has just held the child, as opposed to attempting anything more serious, however, this is clearly worrying.

“If you saw what happened, or anyone acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the incident, please come forward immediately.”

If you can help call 101 or email forcecontrolroom@lancashire.police.uk quoting log number 1141 of April 13.