Woman held after toddler left alone in car

A woman was arrested after a child was found locked in a car, police said today.

Officers smashed a window of the vehicle to reach the girl - thought to be about 18 months old - after shoppers raised the alarm in Dereham, Norfolk, yesterday.

A woman - thought to be the toddler's mother - was being questioned.

"The child was found asleep and was closely monitored whilst officers waited for the vehicle owner to return," said a police spokesman.

"However, the child woke up and became distressed.

"A decision was taken to remove the child from the vehicle for safety reasons and was subsequently taken to the local police station. The child is safe and well."

He added: "The female owner of the vehicle has been located, arrested and is currently being detained in custody."