A CAR was stolen from a driveway in Basingstoke whilst its owner prepared for the school run. 

The car, a black Citroen, was stolen from the driveway of a property in Lower Brook Street, just after 8am on Tuesday, January 9.

The owner of the vehicle, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "Around 8am I take my child to school, so I went out to warm up the car, before collecting my daughter from the garden to get her in.

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"I must have had my back turned for no less than two minutes, and was within 10 or 15 feet of the car, but when I turned around and walked back out I was shocked to see the car was not there.

"It left me quite shaken up. We've lived here for over 10 years and have never known of anything like this to happen, and my child has found the whole ordeal quite upsetting.

"I just wanted to say something because it happened in broad daylight, on my driveway, and could so easily happen to anyone. It's a timely reminder for the community to be vigilant and be aware, as these car thieves are about."

The car owner added that three witnesses had seen a white man in his mid-20s, with a beard and a mountain bike hanging around Lower Brook Street, with one witness saying they saw the man speeding away from the area in the stolen car.

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A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: "We were called at 8.11am yesterday (9 January) to a report of a theft of vehicle on Lower Brook Street in Basingstoke.

"It was reported that a black Citroen was stolen from a driveway.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact 101, quoting 44240011399."