Family car stolen along with baby girl and cat

A thief sped off in a family car with a two-year-old girl strapped in her seat in the back, police have said.

The silver Vauxhall Vectra was stolen in Quarrington Hill, near Durham, around 7pm on Wednesday.

The family had parked outside a relative’s house with the engine running while they took shopping in. A dark Nissan X-trail pulled up.

A man in a blue hoodie and black joggers jumped out of the Nissan and into the Vauxhall. He took off at speed.

The car was discovered three miles away at Sherburn Beck, near Ludworth. The girl was unharmed, although the family’s cat, which was in the vehicle, has not been found.