Concerned Allington residents took to the internet to warn neighbours about a man who had reportedly attempted to steal a dog, before trying to get into a woman’s car.

The incident yesterday evening followed separate reports of a man of the same description knocking on doors and trying to enter another person’s car in the area.

One woman said her dog was at a mobile groomers in The Weavers when the man tried to climb into the van and take her pet.

He then panicked and tried to get into the back of a woman’s car as she reversed around a corner in the same road. She screamed and got out of the car while it was still moving and he ran off.

A man matching the description was also found hiding in the boot of a car in nearby Birchwood Road at 6.20pm.

Police were called and later found the suspect, described as tall, slim and eastern European, who turned out to be a confused migrant.

A spokesman said: “The man was a legal migrant who could not speak English and officers used a translator and directed him to a homeless shelter. No offences had been committed and it is believed he was trying to get to London.”