Carjack gang abduct 82-year-old

Mrs Hughes fended off the van thieves using her keys

A gang of carjackers attacked a police van and then stole a van with 82-year-old woman in the passenger seat.

Police praised the bravery of Anna Hughes, who was in her son John's van in Prestwich, Greater Manchester.

Mr Hughes, 50, was forced out of his vehicle when the gang, being pursued by police, attacked the officers' van and then tried to escape from the scene.

Mrs Hughes explained: "First one wanted to push me out. 'No way' I said, 'This is my son's van and here I stay'."

Police chase

Police began following the gang's white Ford Escort at 2215 BST on Wednesday after spotting it in Park Lane, Whitefield, Greater Manchester.

The men threw a wheel brace at the patrol van, smashing a window. A man then got out and hit it with a machete.

The van was in Langley Hall Road, Prestwich when the gang forced Mr Hughes out and drove off in the orange Fiat with his mother in the passenger seat.

Undaunted she tried to stop the raiders.

I have been in the Second World War, I have been in everything, I am not frightened Anna Hughes

"I had a key in my hands and tried to punch one of them," she said.

Police gave chase but were forced to stop when another object was thrown at them and became caught under their van's wheels.

The stolen van was found abandoned at Heywood Gardens, in Prestwich, with Mrs Hughes safe and well.

'Terrifying ordeal'

Ch Supt Garry Shewan said: "I cannot over-emphasise the bravery shown by this lady who, despite being put through a terrifying ordeal, remained calm and alert and has been able to assist the police."

But Mrs Hughes shrugged off any suggestion that she was a heroine saying she was only afraid for her son.

She said: "I have been in the Second World War, I have been in everything, I am not frightened."

When mother and son finally got home she made them both a pizza, washed down with whiskey in her tea.