New baby snatched by bogus nurse

A FOUR-HOUR-OLD baby girl was abducted from her parents yesterday by a bogus nurse in a hospital maternity unit.

The kidnapper, dressed in a blue nurse's uniform, took the baby at about 3.15pm from a side room of a maternity ward in the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham. She told the father, who was with the baby, that she needed to carry out a hearing test on the child.

Inspector Richard Oswin, of Nottinghamshire police, said: 'A few minutes later it was realised that something was amiss but by that time she had left the ward. It is vital to trace her. Because (the baby) is so young she is in need of urgent medical attention.'

Police had last night set up road blocks and were studying videotapes from the hospital's 24-hour surveillance cameras.

A staff nurse's uniform similar to that worn by the kidnapper was later found hidden in a lavatory close to the maternity ward.

The parents of the child, delivered at 11.30am yesterday, were being comforted by staff. The couple have not been named.

Police think the kidnapper may also have been in the hospital on Thursday. She is described as in her thirties, 5ft 7in tall, of medium build, with long black hair, possibly dyed, and a pale complexion.

'It may be this woman is having personal difficulties and I would appeal to her to contact me personally to discuss them. We need that child back,' Detective Sergeant Stuart Kinton said.

Last night, the 42-officer inquiry had received more than 65 calls from the public after appealing for the driver of a taxi used by the 'nurse', and anyone who may have seen the woman, to contact them. She was last seen walking towards Derby Road.

The chief executive of Queen's Medical Centre, David Edwards, announced a review of security following the kidnap. However, he said that even though the centre was patrolled by a private security firm, it was impossible to keep a constant watch on 1,400 beds and 26 miles of corridors.