'Buyer' drives off in £47,000 car

A car worth £47,000 has been stolen by a man who posed as a prospective buyer, then drove away after arranging a test drive in Surrey.

The seller arranged to meet the man on Sunday at the Pennyhill Park Hotel, Bagshot, after advertising the black Range Rover in a car trader magazine.

The owner left the engine running while they discussed the car but as he closed the boot, the man sped off.

The thief is described as 6ft, skinny and with a long scar on his face.

'Distinctive description'

He was of Asian appearance, with black hair and bad teeth and was wearing black jeans, brown shoes and carrying a burgundy clutch bag.

"We hope to get an indication of what this man was doing leading up to the crime and where the car went afterwards," said Det Insp Fran Breslin.

"Hopefully the distinctive description will jog people's memories."

She said police urged anyone selling a vehicle to check the identity of the prospective purchaser as much as possible and have someone with them for viewings.