POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a three-year-old boy was picked up by a stranger on a bus.


A mother and her two sons were travelling on the number 13 bus to Copmanthorpe on Tuesday at 11.20am when the row took place.


The child got up and moved seats during the journey, sitting down on the right-hand side of the bus, opposite a woman on the left-hand side.


North Yorkshire Police said that when the mum started to walk towards her son, the woman sitting opposite took hold of the boy's forearms and attempted to pick him up, saying "come on young man, go sit with your mother".


He became very distressed and the woman attempted to pick the young boy up again by his forearms, but he managed to wriggle free. 


Police say he suffered reddening to his forearms and was very upset and distressed by the incident.


The woman involved is described as white, medium-brown hair tied in a low ponytail, slim build, in her fifties, wearing a mid-length skirt and carrying a satchel. 


There were around six or seven other passengers on the bus who may have witnessed the incident.


Anyone with information should call 101 and ask for PC Gemma Churchward and use reference number 12160113739.