A member of Sydenham Town Forum recently posted about his wife's car being 'car-jacked' on Kirkdale, with their young child still in the car. Fortunately the car thieves abandoned the car on Dartmouth Road when they realised a child was in the car.

The STF Administrator has now posted a message from the police, which I've quoted below. The original can be found here. There have been 3 vehicles stolen in this way in SE26 and SE23 recently. (I originally thought it was just in Sydenham but reading the police message in detail I see that a van was stolen on London Road, SE23, hence I'm posting this in SE23 Topics.)

Police Appeal, 1 April 2010

Appeal after vehicles stolen from drivers

Detectives are appealing for information after reports that three people have had their vehicles stolen while they were driving in Sydenham.

Police are investigating three separate incidents in which a man has indicated that there is a problem with the vehicle and the victim has got out, before another man has got into the vehicle and driven away.

On 25 a white van was stolen on High Level Drive at the junction with Westwood Hill, the next day a silver van was stolen on London Road, SE23, and on 29 March a car was stolen on Kirkdale at the junction with Jews Walk.

In the most recent instance the victim’s three year old son was in the back of her car when it was stolen, but fortunately it was abandoned shortly after and the child was left inside unharmed.

Detective Constable Liz Hughes said: “We believe these incidents are linked, as each case is very similar and the suspects have encouraged the drivers to leave their vehicles by indicating animatedly that there is something wrong.

“These thefts have been extremely distressing for the victims, particularly in the case involving the young child, and we would urge anyone who saw anything to contact the police.”

Police officers advise members of the public not to stop their vehicles if approached unless they think there is a serious safety problem, and in this case ensure the vehicle is locked before leaving it.

Sydenham and Forest Hill Safer Neighbourhoods teams are available to offer any further crime prevention advice, please contact 0208 649 3598 or 0208 721 2723 to speak to a member of one of these teams.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact Lewisham CID on 0208 284 7959 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always ring 999.