Police are conducting a nationwide hunt for two men involved with stealing and selling a car from Epsom.

Surrey’s officers are asking for the public’s help in identifying the men who they believe could hold vital information about the theft of the light blue Honda Civic, which was stolen between 9.30pm on Tuesday, April 17, and 5.50am on Wednesday, April 18, when it was parked on the driveway of a house on Northcroft Road.

Following the theft, it is believed the car was advertised on the popular online shopping site Gumtree.

A man contacted the sellers with a genuine interest in the vehicle and agreed to meet them at a petrol station on New Road, Chingford - only to find the car’s vehicle registration mark was different to the chassis which raised his suspicions.

He contacted West Midlands Police and officers later discovered that the car had eventually been sold to a man in Harrow, North West London.

After its details were circulated on the Police National Computer, the car was recently stopped and seized by Essex Police and returned to the owner.

Detective Constable James Cumming said: "I cannot stress the importance of checking the full details of a vehicle including the vehicle registration mark and the chassis before purchase, especially if you do not know the seller and are not buying from a dealership.

"It is clear the seller was prepared to travel to various parts of the country in a bid to sell the car which is why I am appealing for information nationwide as other people, who we do not yet know about, could have been offered this car for sale.

"I would urge anyone who recognises the men in the photographs to contact officers with information as we need to speak to them as part of this investigation as they could hold vital information to assist our enquiries."

Anyone with information should call Surrey police 101, if calling from within Surrey, or 01483 571212, if calling from outside of the county, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.