A motorist had his Range Rover stolen after a fake samaritan made him believe there was something wrong with his car.

The man was driving his black Range Rover Vogue south on Streatham Vale, on Thursday (January 27), when a man standing on the pavement near the junction with Glenister Park Road pointed at the nearside of the vehicle.

The driver stopped his car and got out to check the front wheels, thinking he might have a puncture, but left his key in the ignition.

The man standing on the pavement beckoned the driver round to the nearside.

As the driver checked the nearside of his vehicle, he saw a second man get into his car and drive off down Streatham Vale towards Mitcham.

The first man ran off down Glenister Park Road.

Police were called and the motorist telephoned to activate a tracking device fitted to his car, which was later found locked and parked about a mile from the scene of the theft.

Suspects are described as white men, of Eastern European appearance and both about 25 to 30 years old. They were casually dressed in blue jeans and dark blue jackets. The first suspect spoke in broken English.

This is one of a number of similar offences in the area recently, where mainly high value new cars have been targeted, police have said.

Officers are advising motorists to exercise caution if they are alerted to a problem with their vehicle in similar circumstances, and always to remove keys from the ignition when getting out.

Particular care should be taken not to get out of the vehicle and leave the engine running in vehicles which have a ‘keyless ignition’.

DCI Nick Sedgemore said: “Beware of getting out of your vehicle without taking your keys.”

Anyone with any information regarding this case should contact Lambeth Borough Police Vehicle Crime Unit on 020 8649 2436 or speak to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.