Police investigating allegation a woman smacked toddler in Tesco on Lymington High Street

Police are investigating after a mum said her toddler was smacked by another customer in Tesco in Lymington.

The mum had popped into Tesco on the High Street on Wednesday when her daughter ran away from her. Posting online, the upset mother said that as she went to retrieve the two-and-a-half-year-old, a woman “grabbed hold of her wrist and slapped her bum.”

The mum said: “She was running about like all toddlers do when, all of a sudden, a woman grabbed hold of her wrist and slapped her bum. I of course got my daughter from her and had a right go at her saying how dare she grab someone else’s child and slap them.

“She just looked at me like it was a normal thing to do and had no response.

“I am completely shocked and angry that this has happened.”

She revealed she had contacted police and that she had been in the shop for only a few minutes when the incident happened.

She said: “I went in for two things so did not need a trolley. She got away from for two seconds, she ran round the baskets where this woman grabbed her. It happened so quick; a toddler was assaulted by an adult.”

Others responding to the post were horrified by the incident, with one saying: “Absolutely no excuse to lay a hand on a child especially when it isn’t yours.”

A Hampshire police spokesperson said: “I can confirm we received a report of this. Enquiries are ongoing at this time.”