Police are now linking a spate of car thefts in Eltham and Woolwich after a third report of a vehicle being hijacked.

The first offence happened in Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, on January 17 at around 7am when a pregnant woman was pulled over by two men impersonating police officers.

One of them drove off with her BMW while the other man followed behind in a second BMW.

READ MORE: Eltham cancer patient's car hijacked and grandma’s ashes stolen

The second incident happened on January 21 around midday in Glenesk Road, Eltham, when a woman with cancer was on her way to a doctor's appointment.

She had pulled over and was on her phone when a man knocked on her window telling her she had an oil leak at the back of her car.

She got out of the car to have a look, leaving the keys in the ignition.

A man ran across the road, got into the driver's seat and drove away, while the man who had distracted her made off in a second vehicle.

READ MORE: Pregnant woman's car hijacked by bogus police officers in Eltham

And the third incident to emerge happened in the early hours of Tuesday (January 22) when a man reported his vehicle had been stolen by two men impersonating police officers.

He was travelling along Academy Road in Woolwich when he noticed a dark people carrier behind him which flashed a blue light indicating him to stop.

He was then approached by one of the men who asked him to step outside of the vehicle and requested to look inside.

Once in the driver’s seat, he drove off with the second man following in the people carrier.

Police are treating the incidents as linked, and Detective Sergeant Dominic Bolas said: "These thefts have happened in a short space of time and appear to be specific to this local area.

"We would urge the public to be vigilant and anyone approached by a plain clothed police officer should feel comfortable speaking to them and can always ask to check their ID which should be on them at all times.

"Local officers have been made aware of these incidents and will be instructed to be mindful if making stops while not in uniform and to make their identity clear."

Anyone with more information about these incidents should contact the South East Command Unit CID based at Lewisham police station on 07393 006959.