THIS is the shocking moment a suspected car thief steals a car from a dealership and speeds off with it up a one-way street.

Video footage by a taxi driver waiting in oncoming traffic shows a car being stolen from Ashton Quality Cars on Katherine Street, Ashton.

Since the incident at 4.50pm on Thursday, January 21 the video has been shared more than a thousand times on social media.

According to reports staff were moving the car for a click and collect purchase when a young Asian man allegedly ran onto the forecourt and fled in the car.

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The owner of Ashton Quality Cars said: “We were actually going to deliver the car to the customer, and he jumped in it. We realised what was going on and we actually chased him and then he’s gone and turned into oncoming traffic on a one-way street, so we had to stop chasing him for safety.”

The dealership, which in line with government guidelines is currently only open for click and collect, had every gate on the premises locked except the one the thief used for entry.

The stolen Dacia Sandero has since been found by Greater Manchester Police who recovered the car on Friday 22 following reports by members of the public of an abandoned vehicle.

The owner of Ashton Quality Cars would like to thank the taxi driver who filmed the incident and the several other members of the public who sent in footage, as well as Greater Manchester Police.

An investigation is now underway.

Anyone with information should contact police quoting 1840 21/01/21 or the independent charity - Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.