Woman charged with child abduction after Belfast shopping centre ‘locked down’

She is due to appear in court today.

The incident, which happened on Monday, May 20, involved someone reportedly seen lifting a baby from a pram and attempting to run towards the exit of The Park Centre, a shopping centre near Gaeltacht Quarter, Belfast.

Police were alerted to the scene shortly after 3pm following reports of the attempted kidnapping.

It is understood that the shopping centre was briefly locked down before the woman was stopped by security as she attempted to exit the building with the child.

No further details about the woman have been made public at this time.

Woman arrested after 'baby lifted out of pram' in Belfast shopping centre

In a statement to JOE, a spokesperson for the PSNI said: "A 38-year-old woman has been charged with child abduction.

"She is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court today, Tuesday 21st May.

"The charge relates to a report in the Park Centre in west Belfast on Monday afternoon, 20th May.

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

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