DRIVERS in Redbridge have been advised to stay in their vehicles when confronted by obstructions in the road after a spate of attacks by car jackers using bags of rubbish and recycling boxes as decoys.

In the latest incident a pensioner had his Range Rover stolen after getting out of the car to move a recycling container from the middle of the street in Penhurst Road, Ilford.

The thief overpowered the 75-year-old man before driving off in the car on Friday May 7.

The incident came the day after Detective Superintendent Nick Simpson of Redbridge Police had warned on the Guardian's website about car jackers leaving objects in the road to fool drivers into stopping and getting out of their vehicles.

He said: "There have been several recent incidents (in Redbridge) where objects have been left in the road to get drivers to stop.

"If drivers are confronted by a wheely bin, black bin liner, a recyling box or similar object in the middle of the road, I would advise that they stay in their vehicles and either try and drive around it or reverse away and take an alternative route.

"This is a method being used by an individual or individuals to steal cars.

"Until the last couple of months I had not heard of this method being used in Redbridge.

"We are following leads at present."

The latest attack comes just days after an incident in Northumberland Avenue, Aldersbrook on Wednesday May 5, when two thieves waved a gun at a driver who managed to escape by reversing away from the pair, but crashed in the process.

Other thefts include an attack in Cleveland Road, South Woodford on December 23 last year when a thug drove into a pregnant mum-of-one while stealing her BMW, and the stealing of five luxury vehicles from outside a family home in The Green, Wanstead.

The thief who stole the Range Rover on May 7 is described as white, in his late 20s and of athletic build with short fair hair. He drove off in the silver-coloured car into Tomswood Hill towards Barkingside following the incident.

Police have appealed for information about the theft, which took place at about 12.35pm.

A police spokeswoman said: "The victim was dazed after this happened but he is aware that other people came to his aid and I would like any of these people to contact police."

Anyone with information should call Detective Constable Steve Rush at Ilford Police Station on: 8345 2760 or Crimestoppers on: 0800 555 111.