Young child found safe after desperate search for missing Audi

A lawyer was robbed of his Rolex watch and wedding ring by two knife-wielding thugs after walking his dogs in a London park (police file photo) (Picture: Getty Images)

Police launched a desperate hunt for a young child thought to be inside a missing car in east London.

The Metropolitan Police said the white Audi A3 was last seen in Beckton Triangle, Beckton, at 12.18pm on Thursday.

Anyone who saw the car was urged to call 999.

The Met Police later said the car had been located and the child was found safe and well elsewhere.

The force added that a 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of wasting police time, perverting the course of justice and causing a public nuisance after reporting the theft of a car with a child inside.

We are urgently trying to locate a white Audi A3 reg GK20 AFU that has been reported missing.
We believe there is a young child inside.
The car was last seen in Beckton Triangle, E6 #Newham at approx 12:18hrs today.
If seen please call 999.

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk)

August 20, 2020

The force said earlier on Twitter: "We believe there is a young child inside.

"The car was last seen in Beckton Triangle, E6 #Newham at approx 12:18hrs today.

"If seen please call 999."