Inquiry as toddler carried away in County Durham
An "unusual" incident in which a toddler was carried away by a girl in County Durham is being investigated.
The three-year-old girl was with her mother at a play area at Thistleflat Road, Crook, on Sunday evening.
Durham Police said while the mother was distracted, a girl of about 10 picked her child up and carried her off.
When she was challenged, the girl put the toddler down before running and getting into a car which was then driven off.
Police believe the silver car was driven by a woman.
The girl is described as about 4ft, slim, with long blonde hair and was wearing a sleeveless white dress with a flower pattern.
Det Con Dave Rooney, of Durham Police, said the girl's actions may have been innocent but the toddler's mother had been upset by what had happened.
He said: "This was a very unusual incident, which fortunately caused no harm at all to the younger girl.
"If there were other people in the area who saw anything, or may have a description of the car and its occupants we would urge them to contact us.
"We would also like to hear from whoever was in the car, as their account would be crucial to our inquiries."