A mother had a terrifying shock when her car was stolen this afternoon with her baby still inside.

The frantic 25-year-old woman was at a stables when she realised her car had gone.

She called police but found the car about 50m away in a nearby street with a blown tyre and scraped paintwork.

The crime took place in Forestside, near the Sussex border with Hampshire, at about 4pm today.

Police searching for the thief said a man was seen running from the car in Forestside Lane.

He was described as having short dark hair, wearing a blue and white horizontally striped jumper.

The Sussex Police and Ambulance Helicopter was called out but the man was not found.

Sergeant Rob Flanagan said: “The baby is fit and well and has been checked over by a doctor as a precaution.

“The mother was obviously distressed and was relieved to find her car abandoned nearby with her little boy fine inside.

“We will be examining the car and making local enquiries in an effort to find this man.

Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.