DETECTIVES are hunting a man who stole an Audi Q7 with a sleeping baby boy inside.

Officers said the incident happened at 7.05pm yesterday when the driver of the Audi parked up to collect someone from a house on Lichfield Road, Chorley.

The vehicle was briefly left unlocked with the one-year-old boy asleep in the back.

A man then got into the car, driving off on to Rydal Place and then Gilbert Street where it got stuck behind a takeaway delivery vehicle.

The driver has then tried to manoeuvre around the delivery car, but ended up ramming and damaging seven other stationary cars and a lamppost.

After a brief altercation, the man managed to escape from the front of the car.

A black people carrier or estate-style vehicle with a cracked windscreen approached from behind and took him away.

The child has since been reunited with his parents.

No one has yet been arrested and detectives are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Det Sgt Paul Price said: “We think that the offender’s intention was to steal the car and that it’s likely that they were unaware that a child was in the back. Thankfully the young boy wasn’t injured and slept throughout the incident.

“If you know anything about what happened or who was involved, we need to speak to you. Similarly, if you know of a car that matches the description with a cracked windscreen, I would urge you to come forward.

“I would also like to remind people to be mindful with their vehicles, especially those with proximity/ keyless access. Thieves could seize this opportunity to take vehicles no matter how small the time window.”

Anyone with information can call 01257 246190 or, if they fail to get an answer, 101, quoting incident 1360 of January 9th.

Alternatively independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.