Police in the northern Dutch province of Friesland are baffled by the disappearance of a foundling which was allegedly stolen from the girl who discovered the baby.

A police spokesman said at least two useful tipoffs were received from members of the public after the case was first reported on Saturday.

A girl from the town of Wolvega told police she had found a living baby in a plastic bag by the roadside. When she opened the bag and saw the infant, a woman who had been following her on a bicycle approached her. The cyclist took hold of the baby and rode off, saying that she would take it to the police, which she never did.

The girl told her parents what had happened to her, whereupon they contacted the police.

The information described by the police as "useable" both point to females matching the description of the woman as given by the girl.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide