Attempted kidnapping of five-year-old child in Canberra’s city centre

The man allegedly grabbed the child and ran to this laneway off Petrie Plaza.(ABC News)

A man is in custody after he allegedly tried to kidnap a five-year-old child in Canberra.

The man allegedly grabbed the child, who was not known to him, at about 1:00pm on Saturday in Petrie Plaza in Civic.

Police said the man ran towards a laneway holding the child, but the child’s parent and members of the public chased him.

Officers said the man then let go of the child and dropped a knife.

Members of the public restrained him before police arrived to arrest him.

The man was taken to the ACT Watch House, where police said he was helping them with their inquiries.

Anyone with information or phone footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1800 333 000.

Police say the hotline accepts information given anonymously.

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