Toddler snatch inquiry launched
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/8423863.stm Version 0 of 1. The police's role in the disappearance of an 18-month-girl who was mistakenly handed over to an impostor at a police station is to be investigated. Audrey Nyanor was found in Harlesden, north London, on Sunday - three days after she was collected by a woman claiming to be a family friend. At the time Audrey's mother was being held over alleged immigration offences. A police spokesman said the matter had been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. The spokesman said: "While we are pleased to have found Audrey safe and well, we are working closely with colleagues in our Directorate of Professional Standards to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident." He added that investigators would look at how the incident happened "to ensure that any lessons are learned". Stepfather contacted Officers had arrested Audrey's mother, Cynthia Boakye, 36, on Thursday morning at an address in Walworth, south London. She was taken to Walworth police station where she was questioned. The child's grandmother Agatha Owsuah, 54, of Peckham, south London, said an officer asked her daughter whom they could call to look after the toddler. Mrs Owsuah said that Mrs Boakye's stepfather was initially contacted. He visited the station but said he could not take the child because he was working. Subsequently officers were given the number of another relative who agreed to collect Audrey. The child was later handed over to a woman claiming to be that relative. 'Great news' A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the child was found safe and well after police appealed for the public's help on Sunday. A member of the public reported seeing Audrey at 1400 GMT and 55 minutes later she was found with a woman in Harlesden High Street. Police said a 31-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of abduction and remains in police custody at a west London police station. Mrs Owsuah said it was "great news" that Audrey was safe. "We are very, very happy," she said. Another six people were arrested during the investigation. One has been released and the other five are bailed to return to south London police stations in February next year. |