A MUM is outraged over a man taking pictures of her baby in a supermarket - and police told her there is nothing that can be done.

Kirstie Bradford was at the Aldi in Lewes Road, Brighton, when she spotted the man taking the pictures of her eight-week-old baby boy

Kirstie, from Patcham, confronted the man who had been using his phone to take pictures of little Jimmy.

The unidentified man said her child was "cute" and "he and his wife wanted a baby" - but Kirstie was concerned and alerted shop staff.

She went on to call the police, with officers saying they were powerless to do anything about it because her child was wearing clothes.

Sussex Police said the photos, which were taken "with solely innocent intent" and had since been deleted and that there was no risk to the baby.

Kirstie said: "If it is my baby, I should have a say on whether he can take the picture or not.

"The law does not make sense, you have to give all these permissions for pictures to be taken of children at school, but strangers are allowed to take a picture whenever they want."

Kirstie was shopping at the German discount supermarket on Monday when she became concerned about the actions of a fellow shopper.

She was at the checkout at about 1pm when she realised someone was taking photographs of her baby, who was born two months premature.

The 30-year-old said: "I had Jimmy in the trolley seat and when paying for the shopping, I noticed a man standing right behind us acting strangely on his phone.

"So I went behind him to have a look, and I could see him taking pictures of my baby.

"When I confronted him, his reply was that he and his wife wanted a baby. He didn't even seem bothered that he had taken them, despite me shouting and the workers coming around to tell him it was not right.

"The security guard said it was 'not on' but the guy just kept saying the baby was cute. I just said 'you can say that, but you don't take pictures for yourself'."

Kirstie called the police, who arrived on the scene after she and the man had left.

However, officers managed to track down both Kirstie and the man who had taken the photos.

Kirstie said: "The police came and told me that if the child is dressed then there is nothing they can do, and he doesn't even have to delete the picture, even though it was just of the baby.

"I don't think it is right that anyone can just go and take a picture of any child they want and just keep it, without the parent's permission."

Sussex Police said there was no evidence of a crime being committed.

A spokesman confirmed that the man had deleted the images.

He told The Argus: "A call was received shortly before 3pm on Monday from a woman reporting that a man had been taking photos of her baby in a supermarket in Lewes Road, Brighton.

"Both people had left the scene before police arrived a short while later.

"Police made enquiries and traced and spoke to both parties. There is no evidence of any offences having been committed and the baby was not at any risk at any time.

"It was clear that the photos, since deleted, were taken with solely innocent intent."

Aldi said it did not comment on matters involving the police.