Man charged with wasting police time after car was reported stolen with young child inside

A man has been charged with wasting police time after a car was reported stolen with a young child inside.

Jamal Thomas, 23, was due to appear in court on Friday on suspicion of wasting police time, perverting the course of justice and causing a public nuisance.

Police received reports that a car with a child inside had been stolen in Beckton in East London at around noon on Thursday.

Police began a desperate hunt for the child, and urged anyone who had seen the white Audi A3 to call 999.

The force said on Twitter: "We believe there is a young child inside.

"The car was last seen in Beckton Triangle, E6 #Newham at approx 12:18hrs today.

"If seen please call 999."

However, later on Thursday afternoon the Met said both the car and child had been located in separate places.

“The white Audi we appealed for has been found and the child located safe and well elsewhere. We’re establishing the circumstances of the report,” the force tweeted.

Thomas will appear via video link on Friday afternoon at Barkingsgate Magistrates’ court, the Met Police said.