A young mum whose car was stolen has discovered that it was used just hours as a getaway vehicle in a raid.

Lauren King, who works at an estate agent, had her newly-purchased white Seat Leon stolen while she was on a night out to celebrate her sister's birthday.

Her car was then used in a burglary at a shop in Ringwood.

Lauren's door in the Chapel area of Southampton, was kicked in while she was out with friends in the city centre, even though she had left it locked and all her lights on.

Her six-year-old daughter Mya was being looked after by a neighbour at the time of the incident. 

Lauren said: "I came home and didn't notice at first because I had been on a night out.

"In the morning I noticed my car was gone and the spare key for the car on the kitchen windowsill was missing.

"Nothing else was taken, which was weird because my iPad was there on the side.

"Its horrible - it feels like someone has been watching me."

Lauren added she had only bought her car six weeks ago.

Following Lauren's car being stolen, Hampshire police taped off Boots in Ringwood the next morning following a burglary using the same model and colour of car.

The incident happened at around 4.45am on Sunday morning, which saw damage caused to the front door as the offenders forced entry into the property in Southampton Road before stealing an unknown quantity of perfume and beauty products.

A Hampshire Police spokesperson said that officers would particularly like to hear from anyone who saw a white Seat Leon in the area or anyone acting suspiciously in the area around the time of the burglary.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Hampshire Police on 101, quoting 44160 456399.