OPPORTUNIST thieves stole a car when its driver went to collect a takeaway – only to discover a five-year-old girl asleep on the back seat.

Her horrified father rang police and after a frantic ten minute search, the vehicle was found abandoned two streets away, with the oblivious youngster unharmed and still fast asleep.

The man had left the keys in the ignition of his red Skoda Fabia when he parked outside the Royal Chef Chinese takeaway, in Manor Road, St Helen Auckland, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

Police say while he was inside, three youths were spotted getting into the vehicle and driving away shortly after 10pm on Friday.

The car was found a short distance away in Byland Close about ten minutes after the owner, who does not want to be identified, reported it missing.

The young girl was still sitting on the back seat. She is believed to have slept though the whole incident.

The suspects were aged between 14 and 17 and were wearing dark grey or black tops.

Detective Constable Mark Forster, of Bishop Auckland CID, said it had been a particularly worrying time for the father of the girl and he warned people about the importance of not leaving cars unattended with the keys in the ignition.

“This was an extremely distressing incident for the victim, who feared for the safety of his young child,” he said.

“We are appealing for anyone who might have seen the car being stolen or abandoned to come forward.”

He added: “Thankfully, we quickly located the car and were able to reunite the victim with his child, who was safe and well and hadn’t even woken up during the drama.

“The victim has been given words of advice about the wisdom of leaving a child on their own in a car.

“I’d like to remind people that they should under no circumstances leave cars unattended with keys in the ignition.”

Four youths, aged between 14 and 17, were arrested in connection with the incident and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Any witnesses to the incident are asked to call Bishop Auckland Serious Crime Unit on 0345-6060-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.