A HORRIFIED mother looked on as her car was stolen - with her sleeping three-month-old baby inside.

Police have revealed they were called to Herent Drive last Friday afternoon after a woman phoned them saying a man had jumped into her black 4x4 Mercedes while it was parked on her grandmother's driveway.

The incident happened on the same day another car was stolen with a baby inside in Manchester.

In that case an accomplice returned to the crime scene to leave the baby on the pavement.

Redbridge Police have not said why it has taken this long to appeal for witnesses.

It is believed the man jumped into the car and then sped off while the woman was getting her other child indoors.

The man is described as a 6ft tall white, 25 to 30 year old with short cropped blonde hair, wearing a green jumper with red horizontal stripes, with navy jogging bottoms and white trainers.

Police searched the area and discovered the car 20 minutes later abandoned in Lords Avenue - the next road - with the baby inside.

A police spokeswoman said: "The baby was checked over by the London Ambulance Service and seemed to have slept through the whole ordeal.

"The car has been lifted for forensics."

Anyone who may of witnessed the incident is urged to call TDC Whitehall on 0208 345 2766 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.