A man has been arrested on suspicion of child kidnap after a nine-year-old girl became separated from her family in London.

A missing child report was made to the police on Monday at 2.44pm after the girl was last seen in Brompton Road. 

The Metropolitan Police said “fast time inquiries” were carried out after an image of the child in the company of a man, taken from CCTV, was circulated to officers who attended the scene in Knightsbridge.

A man was stopped by officers at Old Court Place, west London, at 5.40pm.

A force spokesman said: “He was still in the company of the child.”

The spokesman added: “A 56-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of child kidnap. He was taken to a west London police station where he remains.

“The child and her family are being supported by specialist officers.

“At this time detectives believe this to be an isolated incident with no other persons involved.”