The police yesterday gave chase to a bus after a passenger called warning that a baby might have been abducted, but they did not manage to apprehend or even question the alleged perpetrators.

A passenger on board the bus told the police that a baby, accompanied by two people, was crying and called out “Mummy” and “Daddy”, raising suspicion that the couple were not related to it, the police told this newspaper.

However, the couple were not tracked down as they got off the bus in Sliema.

The police did not receive any missing children reports. Sources said the incident happened at around 1pm on route 222, from Sliema to Ċirkewwa.

The police were informed that the young child, wearing red, was accompanied by a man in black clothes.

Police from the Rapid Intervention Unit were initially told that the bus was heading to Valletta from Gżira and cars were stationed at Sa Maison and the Valletta bus terminus.

However, about 15 minutes later the unit was informed that the bus was actually heading to Pembroke.

When the officers caught up with the vehicle, they were told the man and baby had got off 10 minutes earlier at the Sliema Ferries.