Pair held for 'planning to take baby from Great Ormond St Hospital'

Police have arrested two people who are suspected of planning to abduct a baby from London's Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The 31-year-old man and 25-year-old woman were held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit child abduction.

They were taken to a central London police station and have since been bailed to return on a date in mid-April, the Met Police said.

Officers were called to the famous children's hospital in the centre of the capital on Monday.

The Camden New Journal said the pair targeted the area where premature babies are looked after, arriving at the hospital with a picture of a baby in an incubator.

According to the paper, they told staff the child had been born at 21 weeks at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London, the previous week, and was then transferred.

Searches revealed there was no child born at the Royal London which matched the details.

Staff then called police and reported an attempted abduction.

A police statement said officers are continuing to investigate.

Inspector Paul Clarke said: "The actions of the staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital in making all of the necessary checks and the quick response of police in arresting a couple prevented what could have been a very frightening and harrowing incident."

A spokeswoman for Great Ormond Street said: "Thankfully this type of incident is exceptionally rare.

"We are pleased that staff at the hospital acted so swiftly and calmly to ensure the safety of all our patients."