A 27-YEAR-OLD man from London has become the latest victim of carjackers in the Bury area.

He was visiting his parents in Prestwich in his £17,000 Volkswagen Golf V5 when he was threatened by thieves armed with a spanner.

It is the 11th carjacking incident in the Prestwich area since the beginning of August and police are warning owners of expensive high-powered vehicles to be on their guard.

The latest victim was sitting in his car in Bury Old Road at about 10.30pm on Tuesday when his door was suddenly opened.

He was confronted by two men wearing balaclavas, one of whom was armed with a large spanner. They told him to get out and they drove off in the car. The Golf has not yet been traced and police inquiries are continuing.

On Monday, a couple in a silver Audi A4 in Hope Road were threatened by three men in balaclavas, armed with a metal bar and monkey wrench. They were forced to hand over the keys and the men escaped in the car.

PC Ken Royles, of Bury Police, said: "We take carjacking very seriously and we are targeting the area where the offences are taking place.

"We are urging the public to report anything suspicious, particularly involving young men in high-powered vehicles.

"Drivers in expensive cars should be vigilant, especially outside their homes. They should look around when getting in and out of their cars, and keep their doors locked for as long as possible."

Anyone with information about the two latest carjackings is asked to call Whitefield CID on 0161 856 8212.

"We are also liaising with neighbouring divisions where some of these stolen vehicles have been found.