POLICE have confirmed they are not treating the death of a baby boy in Norwich city centre as suspicious.

POLICE have confirmed they are not treating the death of a baby boy in Norwich city centre as suspicious.

Shoppers watched on in horror as paramedics tried in vain to save the life of the eight-week-old baby, who suffered a cardiac arrest in Norwich city centre last night.

The boy became seriously ill at 7.55pm at Chapelfield Shopping Centre, which was open for late night shopping in the run up to Christmas.

The baby's parents alerted staff at the shopping centre, who offered first aid before the arrival of paramedics minutes later.

The boy was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital but police confirmed at about midnight that he had died.

A spokesman for Norfolk Constabulary said: “Officers are working with partner agencies to try and determine why the baby suddenly died and to support the parents through this very difficult time.

“Her majesty's coroner has been informed and a post-mortem examination will take place at a later date.”

It was unclear today whether the incident occurred inside the shopping centre or in Chapelfield Plain.

A statement released last night from the management at Chapelfield said: “We can confirm that paramedics were called to an incident at Chapelfield at 8pm on Thursday evening. A young baby was taken ill, the parents alerted staff and Chapelfield first aiders responded immediately.

“The paramedics and police also attended very quickly and were assisted by the on-site team. The baby was taken to hospital.”

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service confirmed the eight-week-old baby had gone into cardiac arrest and had been treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.