Lucknow: An Uttar Pradesh police team was left red-faced when their unattended patrol vehicle was stolen yesterday.

According to a complaint lodged at the superintendent of police's office, the team got out of the vehicle at the Gol Market area for checking.

"According to the driver, constable Brahmdev, the Chetak patrol Gypsy was stolen by a person who appeared to be drunk," police inspector Virendra Kumar said.

"The engine of the vehicle was not turned off and taking advantage of this the person fled with it," Kumar said.

An alert was immediately sounded and the police launched a hunt through out the city.

"The vehicle also had a police wireless radio set installed in it and we hope to locate it soon," added Kumar.