Car thieves have been jailed for a combined total of 17 months after being caught by a number plate recognition camera.

At around 4.45am on January 6, police were called to a home in Ivanhoe Drive, Harrow following a break-in during which two men stole an Audi Q7.

A short while later, a camera in Wembley picked up shots of the stolen car, alerting police to its location.

Officers followed the car until the driver lost control in Hampton Way, Southgate, where the two men ran off before being arrested nearby.

Khuram Zaman, 18, of Violet Road, Walthamstow was sentenced to 14 months in prison on Friday, June 19 at Harrow Crown Court after pleading guilty to burglary and aggravated vehicle taking.

John Dawson, 29, of no fixed abode was jailed for three months for aggravated vehicle taking at the same court.

Detective Constable Gemma Fraser of Harrow Police said: "The custodial sentences given to Dawson and Zaman show that police and the courts take crimes such as burglary and the theft of vehicles seriously.

“Both were very fortunate not to have seriously injured themselves or anyone else as a result of their actions.

"We would advise residents to store car keys in a safe place at night and make sure doors and windows are locked and secure."