Attempted toddler abduction in NSW

A mother has had the fright of her life when a man attempted to abduct her toddler in Sydney's southwest.

The 15-month-old boy was in the children's play area at Macquarie Street Mall in Liverpool on Thursday when a man in his mid-40s picked him up and began walking away.

The toddler's mother - who'd been nearby watching her son - yelled and ran towards them.

The man then handed the toddler back to the mother and left the area, NSW Police said.