Car driven away with child in back seat

A car was driven away with a child in the back seat after a mother left it parked in a street in South Lanarkshire - but was then returned a short time later.

The woman had left the silver BMW unattended for a few minutes in Larkhall at about 16:15 on New Year's Eve, and when she came back the car was gone.

Shortly afterwards, a young man was spotted driving the vehicle back to where it was taken, in Union Street. He then ran off.

Police said the child was still in the back seat unharmed, but it was an upsetting experience for the mother.

The young man was described as white, of slim build, around 5ft 9in (1.75m) tall and about 17 to 20-years-old.

He was wearing a dark top with the hood up and dark bottoms.

Insp Jim Mutter said: "Fortunately the child was not harmed but this was an extremely upsetting experience for the mother and our enquiries are ongoing to trace the youth who was seen driving and exiting the car.

"We are asking anyone in the area at the time to check private CCTV and dash-cam to see if they have captured anything that could assist us.

"We are also particularly keen to speak to two older women who were sitting on a bench nearby as they may have vital information that could assist with our enquiries."