Member of public used wheelie bins to block man 'who tried to abduct baby'

A quick-thinking man helped rescue an abducted baby by blocking in the kidnapper’s car with wheelie bins.

The Good Samariatan was commended by detectives after his actions helped snare a man who was attempting to abduct the infant on Thursday night.

West Midlands Police launched a huge manhunt to trace the missing five-month-old baby boy who was taken from his mother in Sutton Coldfield.

The force appealed for help from the public at around 7.15pm on thursday, saying they believed the baby was with a James Dempsey, 35, who is known to the child’s mother.

But Police said it was two 999 calls they received that proved crucial in helping officers track down the child.

A woman called just before 8.40pm, reporting a potential sighting of the suspect’s Vauxhall Astra in the Sheldon area of Birmingham.

A man dialled 999 to say he had spotted the car parked by garages in Olton, Solihull 20 minutes later.

The man then tried to block off the road with his car – and neighbours’ wheelie bins – in a bid to box in the Astra.

Traffic officers arrived at the scene and picked up the vehicle as it made off towards the Chelmsley Wood area.

At around 9.30pm, the car was brought to a stop by a roundabout near Bickenhill Lane at Birmingham Airport.

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The child, who was on board the vehicle, was found unharmed.

A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of child abduction, and remains in police custody for questioning.

Chief Inspector Ian Ingram, of West Midlands Police, said: ‘It was a fantastic response to what was a very serious, urgent appeal for information.

‘Our appeal was shared thousands of times and would have reached a huge number of people in the West Midlands and beyond.

‘As a direct result of the appeal we received two crucial 999 calls that enabled us to direct police resources to the right area, and led to the child’s safe return.

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‘It’s a great example of the police and public working effectively together, and achieving a brilliant result.

‘I’d like to thank everyone who shared our appeal and particularly to the alert members of the public who made those crucial 999 calls.’

Chief Inspector Ingram, who led the search, previously said he was ‘concerned for the safety of the baby.’

He said: ‘His family are anxious and worried about the baby boy and just want him home safe and well.’