CCTV images have been released by police after a report that a child was 'abducted'.

The search helicopter was scrambled after unconfirmed reports that a girl believed to be between the age of three and five years old was "abducted" from Churchill Square Shopping Centre in Brighton.

Early reports suggest she was wearing a pink jacket and jeans. Police patrols began searching shortly after 5pm this evening. They have been contacted for comment.

An alert went out to more than four hundred taxi drivers at 4pm that a man aged 70 to 75 may be involved and for drivers to call 999 with any information.

The Argus:

A spokesman from Streamline Taxis said: "We received a message from police at 5.15pm about an abduction of a girl at Churchill Square.

"We were asked to put the message to our drivers. We haven't heard any more updates yet."

Officers are at Churchill Square carpark inspecting cars, telling drivers they received reports of a girl being abducted.

Then at 6.55pm Sussex Police released a statement, which said: "Police are investigating a report of a possible child abduction outside Churchill Square, Brighton, between 3.30pm and 3.45pm today.

"However there have been no reports of missing children and no trace of the possible suspect and the child on CCTV cameras.

"Officers have made a wide search of the area and the police helicopter is also searching, after we received a report that a man may have picked up a small child and walked off.

"Enquiries are also being made to establish whether the child was actually with their parents.

The Argus:


"Anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously at that time outside Churchill Square and Western Road area or has any information about this is asked to contact police by ringing 999 quoting serial 903 of 03/11."

Sussex Police have told The Argus the investigation is still ongoing.