The alleged offender grabbed the 18-month old baby in Rugby's town centre in broad daylight.

But a member of the public wrestled him to the floor and got the baby back to her mother.

Hours later, two cars were set alight outside the home where the mother - who we are not naming - was staying.

She told the Advertiser that she believes someone is targeting her and she wants to find a safe house.

"I do not know what will happen next and I fear for me and my baby's
safety," she added.

The first incident happened when she left the Herb and Spice Restaurant in Henry Street at about 2pm last Tuesday.

A man got out of a car, which had other men inside, in Albert Street and tried to grab the buggy on the corner of the two streets.

Colin Sage was with her at the time. He said: "Suddenly a man who saw it all came running in and rugby tackled the man.

"He was very brave and it was very lucky for us that he was there.

"He just laid on him until we were all able to get away into a nearby shop and call 999."

The man managed to get away before the police arrived.

But in the early hours of the following day, Mr. Sage and his wife were woken by arsonists torching their two cars.

The woman had been staying with them while she tried to find a new home.
Police said a 40-year-old man has been arrested and bailed in connection with the fires.

U'Thai Phasuk, who owns Herb and Spice restaurant, said he had been offering food to the woman after she was made homeless with her baby.

He said he has had to call out the police on a few occasions after people threatened to destroy his business.

"This will not stop me from helping her and her baby," he said.

"They are just human beings - if we do not help her, who will?"

The woman is due to meet with officials on Friday to see if they find her somewhere safe to live.

Anyone with any information should call Rugby Police on (01788) 541111, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.