Police are out in force to reassure the Melbourne community after a toddler was found dead in a creek on the weekend.
Sofina Nikat, 22, says her 15-month-old daughter was snatched from her pram at Olympic Park about 10am on Saturday by a man who smelt of alcohol and was not wearing shoes.
Little Sanaya Sahib's body was found in Darebin Creek in the early hours of Sunday.
Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane was asked on Monday whether people should be worried that a potential killer was on the loose.
"We've certainly got more police out in that area - out at Heidelberg and around the parks - today and probably for the rest of this week just to reassure the community that we are there and that we're taking every step we can to keep the community safe," Mr Leane told 3AW.
The assistant commissioner said everyone in Melbourne was no doubt thinking of family and friends closely involved in this "terrible" incident.
He was also worried about police and other emergency services personnel working on the case.
"It's a big shock to one's system when dealing with a tragedy such as this," Mr Leane said.
Police are continuing to speak with the toddler's family.
They spent Sunday scouring the crime scene at Heidelberg West, retracing her mother's steps and searching a home where they had been staying.
Ms Nikat told police she was pushed to the ground on Saturday morning by a man who grabbed her daughter and ran off with her.
She said she didn't see the man's face but described him as African in appearance, between 20 and 30 years old and about 1.8 metres tall.
It's believed Sanaya and her mother, from Mitcham, were staying with family in Heidelberg West near the former 1956 Olympic Village following a separation from the tot's father.
Both parents were said to be extremely distressed and helping police.
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