A woman has been arrested on suspicion of wasting police time after claims a mother was hauled into the back of a car and raped in front of her toddler.

Cleveland Police today confirmed the force was no longer investigating an allegation of rape in Redcar, North Yorkshire, which was said to have happened on Friday, March 3.

A woman in her early 30s has been arrested for on suspicion of wasting police time and remains in police custody.

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of wasting police time after claims a mother was hauled into the back of a car and raped in front of her toddler on Friday, March 3. Pictured: Police cordoned off the scene following the allegation

Appeal: Cleveland Police launched an appeal for information following the alleged attack which was described as 'unusual' and 'traumatising' at the time

An investigation was launched by the force after a mother claimed she was snatched off the street with her toddler, bundled into a car and raped by two men.

The alleged crime shocked the area of Teeside as thousands shared the appeal online in a bid to track down the attackers.

Cleveland officers asked anyone who was in the area of Roseberry Road and Larkswood Road between 4pm and 6pm on Friday March 3 to come forward.

The mother said she was abducted on a walk with her toddler and screamed for help before they were driven off and she was attacked.

She said there were two men in the car and the victim said she was raped by both of them.

A 31-year-old man was arrested in the days after the incident but was later released without charged.

An investigation was launched by Cleveland Police after a mother claimed she was snatched off the street while walking along the seafront in Redcar with her toddler

In a statement issued today, a spokesman for Cleveland Police said a woman had been arrested and was being held in custody on suspicion of wasting police time

Shortly after, police said the March 3 incident 'was not as first reported'.

The attack was described as 'extremely unusual' by police and support was being provided to the woman after the 'extremely traumatic' experience.

The woman claimed she screamed for help as she was driven away before she was raped by two men.

The shocking allegation generated a great deal of media interest.

Police warned local people to remain vigilant while detectives carried out inquiries into the alleged ordeal, which was said to have lasted about seven hours, before she ended up in a secluded lay-by.

In a statement issued today, a spokesman said: 'Officers can confirm that they are no longer investigating an allegation of rape in the Redcar area that was said to have taken place on Friday March 3.

'Police have today arrested a woman aged in her early thirties on suspicion of wasting police time.

'She remains in police custody.'