Distraught relatives of a two-year-old girl watched helplessly as thieves stole a car while she was strapped in a safety seat in the back.

A family had parked their silver Vauxhall Vectra outside a relative’s house to drop shopping off when a dark Nissan X-Trail pulled up in the street and drove slowly past.

The engine of the Vauxhall was still running while one member of the family stood by the car door and others took items inside.

Read more: Aycliffe man can't believe his eyes after ordering second-hand book on Amazon

The suspect vehicle then reversed back along the street to pull alongside the Vauxhall and a man, dressed in a blue hooded jacket and black joggers, jumped out and climbed into the driver’s seat, with the two-year-old strapped into a car seat in the rear.

He then took off at speed as the distressed family tried to stop him.

The terrifying incident happened on Church Street in Quarrington Hill, near Durham City, at about 7pm last night. (Wednesday, September 21)

The Vectra was discovered about three miles away around Sherburn Beck, near Ludworth.

The toddler was physically unharmed and was quickly reunited with her family, however, their pet cat, which was also in the vehicle at the time, has yet to be located.

The Nissan X-Trail has not been located and police are now appealing for witnesses.

To get more stories direct to your email basket go here

Detective Inspector Malcolm Bell, of Durham Constabulary, said: “This has been an extremely distressing incident for the family, who were terrified for the welfare of their child.

“We are appealing to anyone who may have seen this car being stolen or abandoned to come forward.

“We are also looking for anyone who may have seen the Nissan X-Trail at the time, or in immediate time before and after this incident.

“Thankfully, the child was located inside the car, safe and well, and was quickly reunited with her family.”

Anyone with any information or dash cam/CCTV footage is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Andy Davison, of Durham Constabulary, on 101, quoting incident reference 341 of September 21.

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here

We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.

Please report any comments that break our rules.

Are you sure you want to delete this comment?

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here

© 2001-2022. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. A Gannett Company. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. HP10 9TY. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |

Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event.

As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.

Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.

These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.

It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.