Man allegedly tries to snatch toddler and then baby at Melbourne shopping centre

An eight-month-old baby was allegedly taken from her pram in one of two random attempted abductions by a man at a Melbourne shopping centre.

A three-year-old boy was allegedly first grabbed by the man at a Preston shopping complex but he was stopped by the boy's grandmother, police said.

The man, described as being in his 20s, then took the baby girl from her pram before being confronted by the baby's mother, who took her back.

Neither child was injured.

The man left the centre alone after the incident, which occurred about 11.45am today.

He was reportedly later apprehended and questioned by police.