Officers broke the window of the car parked in a supermarket’s underground car park after a member of the public feared a baby had been left alone in the vehicle.
But it transpired it was actually a life-like doll in a child seat.
Despite the misunderstanding in Thornaby, the force issued a reminder to the public not to be put off from reporting concerns.
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It said: “We’d always rather establish a crime has not occurred than miss an opportunity to safeguard a child.
"Sadly people are too often cautious to report concerns about a child and we’d like to take the opportunity to say if you believe a child is at risk, please call us on 101.”
Or dial 999 if you believe a crime is in progress.