A 21-year-old woman has been charged after she allegedly assaulted a toddler at a Perth shopping centre.

The incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon when a mother holding her child at the Park Centre in East Victoria Park was approached by a woman in a pink singlet.

CCTV vision of the incident released by police showed the woman rushing across to the mother, then reaching across and assaulting the child as the mother tried to turn her body away from the attacker.

The woman in the pink top then fled the scene.

Police said the toddler received facial injuries in the attack.

Officers later confirmed they had charged a 21-year-old Ellenbrook woman after she was taken into custody at Mirrabooka Shopping Centre about 11:10am.

She will face court tomorrow charged with “aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm”. 

Attack random: police

Police earlier named the alleged attacker as Pamila-Raye Jetta and said she was unknown to the mother.

Members of the public were urged not to approach her if they saw her.

Police said the toddler was not seriously injured and both mother and child were receiving support. 

Premier Roger Cook said he was shocked by the incident after seeing footage published in the media.

“It must have been incredibly traumatic for the mother, and of course potentially very serious injuries for the baby involved,” he said.

 “I just hope the mother and the baby are well and wish them all the very best.”

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