KINGSBRIDGE police are searching for a group of gaunt-faced men in a dark-blue Volvo V70 Estate following an incident where a woman spotted a man inside her car – which was parked outside her own home at the time.

The incident occurred on Sunday teatime, on the back road between Woolston and Salcombe at around 5.15pm. Police said when the woman looked outside, she spotted a man in her car, which was unlocked.

She went outside to confront the man who told her he ‘was looking for the time’. She told him she didn’t believe him and said she was going to call the police. He then jumped into the waiting Volvo, registration plate X381CSC, which was occupied by two other men.

As the alleged offenders tried to drive off, they were confronted by another vehicle on the single-track lane. The husband of the original car owner stood behind the Volvo, took the registration number, and told the occupants they were calling the police.

The driver of the Volvo then reversed, narrowly missing the woman’s husband, before speeding off.

PC Richard Loxton, Kingsbridge Police, said: ‘The car was not registered or insured.

‘The three occupants are described as in their late 20s or early 30s, thin, with gaunt faces.

‘Anyone who spots the Volvo estate, or has any information about the incident, should call 101 and quote reference 671 of 6/9/15.’