A HUSBAND and wife were injured when they tried to stop a thief from stealing their car outside their home.

The 63-year-old man tried to stop his grey Land Rover Discovery being driven off from his home in Orchard Way, Chigwell.

He tried to grab the car key and was hanging half out of the car when it accelerated away.

The thief then drove straight into the man’s 58-year-old wife and she was hit and thrown to the ground.

The couple were treated in hospital for cuts and bruises, then later released.

The incident happened at about 8.10pm on Wednesday, May 5, when the couple heard their car, with a '55' registration plate, being started up and rushed out to investigate.

Police do not know how the suspect got into the house to steal the car keys.

Detectives are appealing for any information about the theft.

PC Dawn Barrett of Epping CID said: “This was an appalling crime and the thief showed no regard for them and they were lucky that their injuries were not more serious.

“We would advise members of the public not to tackle criminals in this way because these are determined thieves who will stop at nothing to take a car. Instead we would urge people seeing crimes in progress to dial 999 immediately and make a note of the registration numbers of any cars involved and also note descriptions of the thieves.”

The thief is described as a white man, with short fair hair, either blonde or grey, aged in his 30s. He is short, a small build and has a thin face and local accent.

Police also advise owners to park their cars in garages where possible and use security devices such as alarms, immobilisers or steering wheel locks.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Epping CID on 0300 333 4444, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.