Baby found in stolen car

A baby girl has been found safe and well after the car in which she was sleeping was stolen in Essex.

The silver Ford Galaxy was taken at about 1200 BST on Monday from Potter Street, in Harlow, close to a community centre in the town.

The 36-year-old mother, from Epping, left her car with the keys in the ignition while she visited the centre.

The 18-month-old girl was asleep in the car.

Essex Police began a huge search operation, including the launch of the police helicopter.

The car was found some 30 to 40 minutes later in the Red Lion pub car park - also in Potter Street a few hundred yards away.

Police had received an anonymous call telling them the whereabouts of the car and baby.

Roger Grimwade, a spokesman for Essex Police said the baby was unhurt.

"The most amazing aspect of this is that she was still fast asleep in the back of the car and appears totally unaware of the panic that surrounded her," he said.