Thieves steal car with five-year-old boy inside

A mother described today how she was "traumatised" when thieves stole her performance car with her five-year-old son still inside.

At 5pm yesterday, the 24-year-old woman, who does not want to be named, was driving her Mitsubishi Lancer Evo in Stakes Hill Road, Waterlooville, Hampshire, when a BMW car crashed into the back of her vehicle.

The woman and the male driver of the BMW both got out of the vehicles and began arguing over the damage caused.

A Hampshire police spokesman said that another man then got out of the BMW and drove off in the Mitsubishi with the boy still sitting on the back seat.

He added that the car was found abandoned a few minutes later outside a nearby school with the boy still inside and unhurt.

Detective Inspector Christopher Parry said: "The evidence we have so far still strongly indicates that these men had no deliberate intention of abducting a child.

"Our investigation is focused on the motive of stealing a valuable performance car, not abducting a child."

The mother told police: "Until this happened, yesterday had been a very normal day.

"I had just been to Asda in Waterlooville and was on my way home when another vehicle collided with the rear of my car.

"As I imagine anyone would do, I got out of the car to speak to the other driver, it never crossed my mind that while I was doing this my car would be driven away.

"When this happened my first thought was for my son who was still in the vehicle, I just panicked and tried to get help.

"Thankfully another driver stopped to help me and I thank him so much for this.

"The relief of finding that the car had been abandoned with my son inside was indescribable.

"It was an amazingly traumatic incident.

"I really hope now police can find those responsible for this and would ask anyone who may be able to help identify those involved to please contact the police."

PA