Robbers armed with knives broke into the home of Phil Chambers, 30, and his fiancé to steal the keys to the Audi RS3.

The car was later recovered by police when it ran out of fuel, but the robbers had evidently kept close watch and stole it back from West Midlands Police.

Mr Chambers told The Sun that the chief inspector “was obviously embarrassed and very apologetic”.

He added: “The poor bloke didn’t know what to say. Basically these blaggers had gone to the recovery yard and nicked my car at the second attempt from under police noses.”