Car stolen in Benfleet with two-year-old boy in the back seat

1:05pm Saturday 10th November 2012 in Local News By Melissa Hills

A THIEF stole a car as a two-year-old boy slept in the back, police revealed today.

A 32-year-old woman parked her silver Land Rover Freelander in Kents Hill Road North, Benfleet at 2.20pm on Friday, leaving the engine running while delivering a package.

While at the door of a property a man drove off in the vehicle with the child in the rear.

The vehicle was recovered a short time later in nearby Barncombe Close with the child still asleep.

The suspect made off and has not been located despite search efforts including the police helicopter.

The man is described as white, aged in his early 20s, clean shaven, wearing a black top with a light blue hood and dark trousers or tracksuit bottoms.

Sgt Rob Chapman, investigating officer, said: "The suspect laughed at the victim before jumping in the vehicle and driving off. "There were various people in the street at the time of the incident however due to the welfare of the child being our primary concern we were unable to obtain details of all witnesses.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt Chapman at the Rayleigh area investigation team on 101.

Comments (33)

1:37pm Sat 10 Nov 12

Eric Whim says...

there's a lesson to learned here..


Glad they found the motor and the kiddie safe and sound (asleep)
there's a lesson to learned here.. Glad they found the motor and the kiddie safe and sound (asleep) Eric Whim

2:03pm Sat 10 Nov 12

ChampKind says...

The woman is obviously an idiot for leaving the engine running.
The woman is obviously an idiot for leaving the engine running. ChampKind

3:01pm Sat 10 Nov 12

SpiffSpaffington1984 says...

Even though he wasnt aware of the kid he should still be done for child abduction, maybe that would teach him
Even though he wasnt aware of the kid he should still be done for child abduction, maybe that would teach him SpiffSpaffington1984

3:17pm Sat 10 Nov 12

Eric Whim says...

SpiffSpaffington1984 wrote:
Even though he wasnt aware of the kid he should still be done for child abduction, maybe that would teach him
maybe they could caution the mother for negligence and endangering the life of a minor while they're at it
[quote][p][bold]SpiffSpaffington1984[/bold] wrote: Even though he wasnt aware of the kid he should still be done for child abduction, maybe that would teach him[/p][/quote]maybe they could caution the mother for negligence and endangering the life of a minor while they're at it Eric Whim

3:22pm Sat 10 Nov 12

Olivia2847 says...

Eric Whim wrote:
SpiffSpaffington1984 wrote:
Even though he wasnt aware of the kid he should still be done for child abduction, maybe that would teach him
maybe they could caution the mother for negligence and endangering the life of a minor while they're at it
Totally irresponsible .........
[quote][p][bold]Eric Whim[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]SpiffSpaffington1984[/bold] wrote: Even though he wasnt aware of the kid he should still be done for child abduction, maybe that would teach him[/p][/quote]maybe they could caution the mother for negligence and endangering the life of a minor while they're at it[/p][/quote]Totally irresponsible ......... Olivia2847

3:39pm Sat 10 Nov 12

eastlondongary says...

how long does it take to put the key in and start the engine just lazyness in my opinion
and with your child in the car just idiotic
how long does it take to put the key in and start the engine just lazyness in my opinion and with your child in the car just idiotic eastlondongary

4:22pm Sat 10 Nov 12

thesouthendone says...

That's just lazy, if u don't want the child
put it up for adapotion.
That's just lazy, if u don't want the child put it up for adapotion. thesouthendone

5:08pm Sat 10 Nov 12

1982lw says...

I feel sorry for the Mother what a terrible ordeal she had to go through but she has no one else to blame except herself. Who leaves the car keys in a car with the engine running your just asking for it to be stolen.
I feel sorry for the Mother what a terrible ordeal she had to go through but she has no one else to blame except herself. Who leaves the car keys in a car with the engine running your just asking for it to be stolen. 1982lw

5:25pm Sat 10 Nov 12

John T Pharro says...

1982lw wrote:
I feel sorry for the Mother what a terrible ordeal she had to go through but she has no one else to blame except herself. Who leaves the car keys in a car with the engine running your just asking for it to be stolen.
And isn't it illegal to leave a car with the engine running?
[quote][p][bold]1982lw[/bold] wrote: I feel sorry for the Mother what a terrible ordeal she had to go through but she has no one else to blame except herself. Who leaves the car keys in a car with the engine running your just asking for it to be stolen.[/p][/quote]And isn't it illegal to leave a car with the engine running? John T Pharro

5:47pm Sat 10 Nov 12

Eric the Red says...

John T Pharro wrote:
1982lw wrote: I feel sorry for the Mother what a terrible ordeal she had to go through but she has no one else to blame except herself. Who leaves the car keys in a car with the engine running your just asking for it to be stolen.
And isn't it illegal to leave a car with the engine running?
Yes.
[quote][p][bold]John T Pharro[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]1982lw[/bold] wrote: I feel sorry for the Mother what a terrible ordeal she had to go through but she has no one else to blame except herself. Who leaves the car keys in a car with the engine running your just asking for it to be stolen.[/p][/quote]And isn't it illegal to leave a car with the engine running?[/p][/quote]Yes. Eric the Red

5:57pm Sat 10 Nov 12

Nebs says...

So lucky that this was a car thief rather than a child abductor.
So lucky that this was a car thief rather than a child abductor. Nebs

6:22pm Sat 10 Nov 12

whataday says...

Thank goodness the child was found safe. But what an absolutely stupid thing to do. The mother must be either living in a world of her own where everybody is honest or she is absolutely brain dead. Fancy leaving a child alone in a car but even worse with the keys still in it and the engine running. Hope she is counting her blessings she still has a child
Thank goodness the child was found safe. But what an absolutely stupid thing to do. The mother must be either living in a world of her own where everybody is honest or she is absolutely brain dead. Fancy leaving a child alone in a car but even worse with the keys still in it and the engine running. Hope she is counting her blessings she still has a child whataday

6:47pm Sat 10 Nov 12

Brunning999 says...

Sorry to say that young mothers with a million things on their mind really are a cause for concern, however nice they might be they are always in a hurry, either speeding, parking negligently, parking with school zig zag lines it is the pressure of coping with a family and every day life.

Perhaps others reading this might learn from this lady's horrific experience personally I do not feel any other action is necessary she has learnt the hard way.
Sorry to say that young mothers with a million things on their mind really are a cause for concern, however nice they might be they are always in a hurry, either speeding, parking negligently, parking with school zig zag lines it is the pressure of coping with a family and every day life. Perhaps others reading this might learn from this lady's horrific experience personally I do not feel any other action is necessary she has learnt the hard way. Brunning999

7:14pm Sat 10 Nov 12

Audioman says...

The car is worth £70,000.what is the child worth then.
Miust have loads of money on benifitsI bet stupid woman deservers to get her car pinched.
The car is worth £70,000.what is the child worth then. Miust have loads of money on benifitsI bet stupid woman deservers to get her car pinched. Audioman

7:26pm Sat 10 Nov 12

John T Pharro says...

Eric the Red wrote:
John T Pharro wrote:
1982lw wrote: I feel sorry for the Mother what a terrible ordeal she had to go through but she has no one else to blame except herself. Who leaves the car keys in a car with the engine running your just asking for it to be stolen.
And isn't it illegal to leave a car with the engine running?
Yes.
So, I assume because of her stress she will not be prosecuted?
Frankly I would, not least because I saw personally one "mother", with a child in a car seat leave her car outside Seaview Stores Canvey pulled onto the pavement, on a double yellow line, yards from a roundabout and with the engine running.
Now how many laws had she broken?
[quote][p][bold]Eric the Red[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]John T Pharro[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]1982lw[/bold] wrote: I feel sorry for the Mother what a terrible ordeal she had to go through but she has no one else to blame except herself. Who leaves the car keys in a car with the engine running your just asking for it to be stolen.[/p][/quote]And isn't it illegal to leave a car with the engine running?[/p][/quote]Yes.[/p][/quote]So, I assume because of her stress she will not be prosecuted? Frankly I would, not least because I saw personally one "mother", with a child in a car seat leave her car outside Seaview Stores Canvey pulled onto the pavement, on a double yellow line, yards from a roundabout and with the engine running. Now how many laws had she broken? John T Pharro

7:47pm Sat 10 Nov 12

stopwhinging says...

Probably no one feels as guilt ridden and horrified as the mother involved. It is funny how many "right standing citizens" criticise in the most hostile and aggresive manner mistakes made by people they have never met. This intense bullying protects the real criminal in this story, the scum who actually attempted to steal the vehicle. No one has mentioned him, it's just tunnel vision aggression torwards the mother who may have been trying to earn extra money to provide for her family, although no one has thought of this. However, everyone has thought that she is a criminal, dosent love her child and is on benefits. Free speech is welcome in this country, but the downright idiotic comments made by a sub culture that sees only one version of a story (their own) defies every thing that made this country what it is. Humanity and compassion are obviously things of the past. take some time to think how your comments make people feel, then get back to your little world of hatred and pick your next victim.
Probably no one feels as guilt ridden and horrified as the mother involved. It is funny how many "right standing citizens" criticise in the most hostile and aggresive manner mistakes made by people they have never met. This intense bullying protects the real criminal in this story, the scum who actually attempted to steal the vehicle. No one has mentioned him, it's just tunnel vision aggression torwards the mother who may have been trying to earn extra money to provide for her family, although no one has thought of this. However, everyone has thought that she is a criminal, dosent love her child and is on benefits. Free speech is welcome in this country, but the downright idiotic comments made by a sub culture that sees only one version of a story (their own) defies every thing that made this country what it is. Humanity and compassion are obviously things of the past. take some time to think how your comments make people feel, then get back to your little world of hatred and pick your next victim. stopwhinging

8:38pm Sat 10 Nov 12

Royr says...

Absolutely agree with stopwhinging!
We all do things without thinking, just to save a moment or two.
Sympathies to the mother for the fortunately brief period of distress she suffered - and is probably still suffering.
Absolutely agree with stopwhinging! We all do things without thinking, just to save a moment or two. Sympathies to the mother for the fortunately brief period of distress she suffered - and is probably still suffering. Royr

8:46pm Sat 10 Nov 12

Diannah says...

Regardless of whether she was right or wrong - it happened and luckily with a fortunate outcome. Let's hope that other parents read this and learn from her mistake. Can't guarantee that the next time this happens, the thief will abandon a car if he discovers a child in the back.
Regardless of whether she was right or wrong - it happened and luckily with a fortunate outcome. Let's hope that other parents read this and learn from her mistake. Can't guarantee that the next time this happens, the thief will abandon a car if he discovers a child in the back. Diannah

9:20pm Sat 10 Nov 12

Brunning999 says...

Diannah wrote:
Regardless of whether she was right or wrong - it happened and luckily with a fortunate outcome. Let's hope that other parents read this and learn from her mistake. Can't guarantee that the next time this happens, the thief will abandon a car if he discovers a child in the back.
I would feel better if he reported where he left the car , has anyone making a comment mentioned if that child would have woken up alone without his Mum that is cruel.
[quote][p][bold]Diannah[/bold] wrote: Regardless of whether she was right or wrong - it happened and luckily with a fortunate outcome. Let's hope that other parents read this and learn from her mistake. Can't guarantee that the next time this happens, the thief will abandon a car if he discovers a child in the back.[/p][/quote]I would feel better if he reported where he left the car , has anyone making a comment mentioned if that child would have woken up alone without his Mum that is cruel. Brunning999

11:57pm Sat 10 Nov 12

benfleet101 says...

stopwhinging wrote:
Probably no one feels as guilt ridden and horrified as the mother involved. It is funny how many "right standing citizens" criticise in the most hostile and aggresive manner mistakes made by people they have never met. This intense bullying protects the real criminal in this story, the scum who actually attempted to steal the vehicle. No one has mentioned him, it's just tunnel vision aggression torwards the mother who may have been trying to earn extra money to provide for her family, although no one has thought of this. However, everyone has thought that she is a criminal, dosent love her child and is on benefits. Free speech is welcome in this country, but the downright idiotic comments made by a sub culture that sees only one version of a story (their own) defies every thing that made this country what it is. Humanity and compassion are obviously things of the past. take some time to think how your comments make people feel, then get back to your little world of hatred and pick your next victim.
At last a sense of humanity! I am appalled that yours is the first comment with any feeling for the mother! I don't have an opinion on everything only some of the issues that are of relevance to me but most of the names here post on almost every single article. Do they not have lives? They spout their half baked home spun philosophies on people they have no idea about and quite frankly make Alf Garnet look intelligent
[quote][p][bold]stopwhinging[/bold] wrote: Probably no one feels as guilt ridden and horrified as the mother involved. It is funny how many "right standing citizens" criticise in the most hostile and aggresive manner mistakes made by people they have never met. This intense bullying protects the real criminal in this story, the scum who actually attempted to steal the vehicle. No one has mentioned him, it's just tunnel vision aggression torwards the mother who may have been trying to earn extra money to provide for her family, although no one has thought of this. However, everyone has thought that she is a criminal, dosent love her child and is on benefits. Free speech is welcome in this country, but the downright idiotic comments made by a sub culture that sees only one version of a story (their own) defies every thing that made this country what it is. Humanity and compassion are obviously things of the past. take some time to think how your comments make people feel, then get back to your little world of hatred and pick your next victim.[/p][/quote]At last a sense of humanity! I am appalled that yours is the first comment with any feeling for the mother! I don't have an opinion on everything only some of the issues that are of relevance to me but most of the names here post on almost every single article. Do they not have lives? They spout their half baked home spun philosophies on people they have no idea about and quite frankly make Alf Garnet look intelligent benfleet101

11:58pm Sat 10 Nov 12

benfleet101 says...

stopwhinging wrote:
Probably no one feels as guilt ridden and horrified as the mother involved. It is funny how many "right standing citizens" criticise in the most hostile and aggresive manner mistakes made by people they have never met. This intense bullying protects the real criminal in this story, the scum who actually attempted to steal the vehicle. No one has mentioned him, it's just tunnel vision aggression torwards the mother who may have been trying to earn extra money to provide for her family, although no one has thought of this. However, everyone has thought that she is a criminal, dosent love her child and is on benefits. Free speech is welcome in this country, but the downright idiotic comments made by a sub culture that sees only one version of a story (their own) defies every thing that made this country what it is. Humanity and compassion are obviously things of the past. take some time to think how your comments make people feel, then get back to your little world of hatred and pick your next victim.
At last a sense of humanity! I am appalled that yours is the first comment with any feeling for the mother! I don't have an opinion on everything only some of the issues that are of relevance to me but most of the names here post on almost every single article. Do they not have lives? They spout their half baked home spun philosophies on people they have no idea about and quite frankly make Alf Garnet look intelligent
[quote][p][bold]stopwhinging[/bold] wrote: Probably no one feels as guilt ridden and horrified as the mother involved. It is funny how many "right standing citizens" criticise in the most hostile and aggresive manner mistakes made by people they have never met. This intense bullying protects the real criminal in this story, the scum who actually attempted to steal the vehicle. No one has mentioned him, it's just tunnel vision aggression torwards the mother who may have been trying to earn extra money to provide for her family, although no one has thought of this. However, everyone has thought that she is a criminal, dosent love her child and is on benefits. Free speech is welcome in this country, but the downright idiotic comments made by a sub culture that sees only one version of a story (their own) defies every thing that made this country what it is. Humanity and compassion are obviously things of the past. take some time to think how your comments make people feel, then get back to your little world of hatred and pick your next victim.[/p][/quote]At last a sense of humanity! I am appalled that yours is the first comment with any feeling for the mother! I don't have an opinion on everything only some of the issues that are of relevance to me but most of the names here post on almost every single article. Do they not have lives? They spout their half baked home spun philosophies on people they have no idea about and quite frankly make Alf Garnet look intelligent benfleet101

8:57am Sun 11 Nov 12

bob7 says...

I'm glad the little boy is safe, hopefully he wasn't aware of what happened to him.
As for mum, does she realise if she had needed to claim on her insurance it would have been invalid as the vehicle was unattended?
Also was she delivering the package to a friend or was it as part of a business? If she is doing parcel delivery hope her car insurance covers business use.
I'm glad the little boy is safe, hopefully he wasn't aware of what happened to him. As for mum, does she realise if she had needed to claim on her insurance it would have been invalid as the vehicle was unattended? Also was she delivering the package to a friend or was it as part of a business? If she is doing parcel delivery hope her car insurance covers business use. bob7

5:23pm Sun 11 Nov 12

lawbreaker says...

Well done for the car thief for stopping.
Well done for the car thief for stopping. lawbreaker

7:37pm Sun 11 Nov 12

Olivia2847 says...

And now a hot topic on BBC TV ffs!
And now a hot topic on BBC TV ffs! Olivia2847

9:19pm Sun 11 Nov 12

DogsMessInLeigh says...

Audioman wrote:
The car is worth £70,000.what is the child worth then.
Miust have loads of money on benifitsI bet stupid woman deservers to get her car pinched.
What Freelander is £70000 then..?

and i note....a hoodie and tracksuit bottoms again, surely a new law must be passed to outlaw such chavy items of clothing.
[quote][p][bold]Audioman[/bold] wrote: The car is worth £70,000.what is the child worth then. Miust have loads of money on benifitsI bet stupid woman deservers to get her car pinched.[/p][/quote]What Freelander is £70000 then..? and i note....a hoodie and tracksuit bottoms again, surely a new law must be passed to outlaw such chavy items of clothing. DogsMessInLeigh

10:13pm Sun 11 Nov 12

SpiffSpaffington1984 says...

a law to outlaw joggers & hoodies, yeah il just go jogging in jeans & a shirt
a law to outlaw joggers & hoodies, yeah il just go jogging in jeans & a shirt SpiffSpaffington1984

9:55am Mon 12 Nov 12

HayleyWayley says...

I would have loved to have seen his face when he realised there was a baby in the back.. probably stained himself in some way haha.. Just be thankful it was just a thief trying his luck and not some sadistic child abuser of some kind.. what with the little April girl in Wales.. Id say why is anyone even mentioning that car?! who cares about a car? a car is replaceable..
I would have loved to have seen his face when he realised there was a baby in the back.. probably stained himself in some way haha.. Just be thankful it was just a thief trying his luck and not some sadistic child abuser of some kind.. what with the little April girl in Wales.. Id say why is anyone even mentioning that car?! who cares about a car? a car is replaceable.. HayleyWayley

3:54pm Mon 12 Nov 12

r6keith says...

A friend of mine, wife was on the way home but needed a bottle of milk so she left her sleeping child in the rear of the car. Got out locked the car and went into the shop the car was in full view all of the time, a warden saw the child called the police and she was arrested for child neglect and she ended up with an official warning. I think in this situation many of us would do the same thing. But to leave the car running with the child in is very foolish by any standards.
A friend of mine, wife was on the way home but needed a bottle of milk so she left her sleeping child in the rear of the car. Got out locked the car and went into the shop the car was in full view all of the time, a warden saw the child called the police and she was arrested for child neglect and she ended up with an official warning. I think in this situation many of us would do the same thing. But to leave the car running with the child in is very foolish by any standards. r6keith

4:30pm Mon 12 Nov 12

firedog says...

Car fires are not uncommon,if you leave a child or even a dog unattended ina car you are taking a chance,but of course it will never happen to you,will it.
Car fires are not uncommon,if you leave a child or even a dog unattended ina car you are taking a chance,but of course it will never happen to you,will it. firedog

7:45pm Mon 12 Nov 12

Dwaddi says...

I hope that if any mistake made by all the people who make a decision to judge a parent who was leaving her child asleep whilst walking on feet from her car with it in clear sight and which only would have been for a couple of seconds don't have to suffer with shallow minded people who feel the need to make judgement, Did you all leave your young with babysitters without 100% knowledge of then, give her a break and think of any situation where you made a mistake raising a family, or just get a life!!!
I hope that if any mistake made by all the people who make a decision to judge a parent who was leaving her child asleep whilst walking on feet from her car with it in clear sight and which only would have been for a couple of seconds don't have to suffer with shallow minded people who feel the need to make judgement, Did you all leave your young with babysitters without 100% knowledge of then, give her a break and think of any situation where you made a mistake raising a family, or just get a life!!! Dwaddi

7:56pm Mon 12 Nov 12

VB1957 says...

Don't condem those that you don't know - it detracts from the real issue that someone thought it was OK to steal from another.
Don't condem those that you don't know - it detracts from the real issue that someone thought it was OK to steal from another. VB1957

11:15am Tue 13 Nov 12

perini says...

Audioman wrote:
The car is worth £70,000.what is the child worth then. Miust have loads of money on benifitsI bet stupid woman deservers to get her car pinched.
Since when has a Freelander been £70K??? It's the small one!
[quote][p][bold]Audioman[/bold] wrote: The car is worth £70,000.what is the child worth then. Miust have loads of money on benifitsI bet stupid woman deservers to get her car pinched.[/p][/quote]Since when has a Freelander been £70K??? It's the small one! perini

2:25pm Wed 14 Nov 12

Louisajo says...

The man was a thief! Shame he wasn't at work, looking for work or volunteering to do some good in the community. Nothing excuses his actions.
That poor mum should not be punished any further by people with a very skewed idea of right and wrong. We have all made mistakes. She will most certainly be having nightmares about this.
Will the fool who took the car, having no insurance for it and the potential to injure people with it be having nightmares?
What if the child had climbed out and wandered onto the road?
He stole and abducted a child!!!
The man was a thief! Shame he wasn't at work, looking for work or volunteering to do some good in the community. Nothing excuses his actions. That poor mum should not be punished any further by people with a very skewed idea of right and wrong. We have all made mistakes. She will most certainly be having nightmares about this. Will the fool who took the car, having no insurance for it and the potential to injure people with it be having nightmares? What if the child had climbed out and wandered onto the road? He stole and abducted a child!!! Louisajo

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