OPPORTUNIST thieves stole a car which had been left running – only to smash into a lamp post a few yards down the road.

The owner of the black convertible BMW had left the car unattended for a matter of minutes in Walderslade Road, Chatham, at about 8.30pm last Saturday.

The car was heard screeching up the street just before a loud bang, as it hit the lamp post and flipped over onto its roof.

A spokesman from Medway fire station, who attended the scene said: "The BMW was the owner’s pride and joy. He had saved up for months for it and it had to be specially ordered.

"He left the car for a matter of minutes while he went into his girlfriend’s house and then heard it screeching off up the street, before hitting and demolishing a lamp post.

"Two male youths were driving but they somehow managed to escape.

"There was no blood in the car but the passenger side was badly crushed when the car flipped over, so the police have been checking around in hospitals to see if anyone has admitted themselves with injuries consistent with this crime."