A FRIGHTENED dad grabbed his sleeping son from the back of his car just seconds before armed raiders sped off in his vehicle.

And in the wake of the carjacking, he says he and his family will be leaving the area.

His comments came after he, his partner and six-year-old son were victims of an armed car theft in Dashwood Road, Prestwich.

The 36-year-old man, who does not want to be named, said: "We had parked my Saab car outside my house. Myself and my partner got out while my six-year-old son was still asleep in the back.

"Suddenly, three men in balaclavas confronted us and demanded the keys to the car. At least one was armed with what appeared to be a knife. And there was a getaway car nearby which may have contained another man."

He added: "When they demanded the keys, I told them I couldn't because my son was asleep in the back. Within a few seconds, I was at the side of my car -- pulling my son out. The next thing I knew was that the keys were snatched from me and my car was driven off very quickly."

Commenting on the ordeal, he continued: "It's just dreadful that a boy aged six has to woken to be confronted by men in balaclavas. That was the first thing he saw when he opened his eyes."

He says the thugs were slim, aged about 19 and wore masks over their faces. They got away with a Saab 93 car.

Now, the victim says he and his family plan to leave Prestwich.

"A lot of people are trying to talk-up the area, saying that house prices locally are going up and up. But as far as I am concerned, that is not true. The prices in Prestwich have not risen in line with a lot of other areas."

He went on: "As the council are trying to make this area more attractive, Prestwich -- in a social sense -- is becoming less attractive. We will be moving now. It seems the police have not much control when it comes to crime".

Anyone with information about the carjacking, which happened at 9.45pm on Thursday should ring Whitefield CID on 856 8248.