Woman, 38, charged with child abduction after baby lifted from pram & shopping centre ‘locked down’

A WOMAN has been charged with child abduction following an incident at a west Belfast shopping centre yesterday afternoon.

Police rushed to the Park Centre on Donegall Road shortly after 3pm following reports of an attempted abduction.

It is understood that the shopping centre was locked down for a brief period of time after a woman allegedly lifted a baby from a pram.

It has been alleged that a woman attempted to run towards the exit of The Park Centre before being stopped by security.

A 38-year-old woman has since been arrested and charged with child abduction.

In a statement this morning, a PSNI spokesperson confirmed: "A 38-year-old woman has been charged with child abduction.

"She is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court today.

"The charge relates to a report in the Park Centre on Monday afternoon.

"As is usual procedure, the charge will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service."

In a statement yesterday, the PSNI confirmed that the woman was assisting cops with their enquiries.

A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police have arrested a 38-year-old woman on suspicion of kidnapping, she is currently in custody assisting police with their enquiries."