Three men arrested after a pensioner's brand new car full of Christmas presents was stolen from a Bluewater car park have been released without charge.

The 81-year-old won huge public sympathy towards the end of last year when he was scammed out of his Christmas presents and his car.

The victim had been sitting in his new Skoda, with the engine running, in the Lower Thames Walk car park waiting for his wife to return from the shops on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 15 when he was approached by two men.

The men, who were in another vehicle, reportedly told the pensioner there was something dangerous on the back of his car and when he got out to check one of the men got into his vehicle and drove it away.

The victim had been Christmas shopping with his wife and the boot was full of gifts.

Police became suspicious of a vehicle that drove onto the shopping centre site at 2.30pm on Sunday, November 27 and tried to stop it.

After a car chase, which ended in Green Street Green Road, Dartford, three men from London, aged 27, 32 and 43, were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.

But today police revealed all three suspects have been released without charge and no one else is being investigated.

A spokesman said: "All three have been released without charge due to insufficient evidence.

"There are no outstanding lines of inquiry so the case has been filed pending any further information coming to light."

Almost 100 people donated to an online appeal set up by Nikki Redding aimed at raising £500 for the couple to help them replace the Christmas presents.

The generous donations added up to almost £1,000 and Bluewater gave the couple a £250 voucher.

Insp Gary Woodward said at the time: “Distraction thefts which target elderly and vulnerable people are particularly callous.

“I would advise people to be cautious and on their guard when approached by strangers and to keep all personal belongings with them at all times.”

Anyone with information about the incident can call the police on 01474 366149 quoting reference XY/45719/16.