A car reported stolen was returned to its owner just hours after it had been taken, police say.

The vehicle was spotted while police were on patrol in Farnworth.

A police spokesman said: " Officers located a stolen vehicle while patrolling this evening.

"The vehicle had been stolen just a few hours before, but it has now been recovered and returned to it's owner. #NeighbourhoodPolicing."

Just a few days ago, a car was recovered after being stolen in Rumworth.

It comes after reports from residents who noticed a vehicle had appeared on Ellesmere Street overnight with damage to the window.

As a result, Local PCSOs, Cucos and Ratcliffe, seized the vehicle.

Enquiries remain ongoing at the moment.”

Police are attempting to crackdown on car crime with more patrols and operations targeted at catching criminals who try to steal cars.

GMP hope people will be deterred from crime and also advise people not to leave anything valuable in their cars overnight.