Sleeping child inside stolen car in St Helen Auckland
Four teenagers have been arrested after a car was driven away with a sleeping child inside in County Durham.
The owner had briefly left his car to collect a takeaway in St Helen Auckland on Friday night, leaving his keys in the ignition, when it was taken.
It was recovered nearby about 10 minutes after it was reported missing. The five-year-old had slept throughout.
Four youths aged between 14 and 17 were arrested over the incident and later bailed pending further inquiries.
A Durham Police spokesman said: "This was an extremely distressing incident for the victim who feared for the safety of his young child.
"The victim has been given words of advice about the wisdom of leaving a child on its own in a car.
"I'd like to remind people that they should under no circumstances leave cars unattended with keys in the ignition."