A TOTTENHAM woman's life was threatened by carjackers.

Vicki Shudell, 28, who had her W-reg Renault Clio taken in Broadwater Road, Tottenham, in January warned residents that the crooks are not just targeting large, expensive cars.

She told of her horror as she pulled up outside her home in her W-reg Renault Clio, only to be pounced on by two men and ordered to hand over the keys.

She said: "As I was indicating to pull over and park, a white van appeared to be giving way. I parked my car and got out but two men got out of the van and one of them jumped on me.

"He said 'give it to me or I'll kill you' and I asked if he meant my car keys, but in the meantime his friend had already got inside my car. I gave them the keys and they also took my bag.

"I gave them what they wanted you hear of people being killed if they put up a fight. It's not just high class cars being taken away it's dangerous for everybody."

Ms Shudell spoke out following the murder last week of a London estate agent, thought to have taken place after he tried to stop robbers taking his car.

During the past few weeks, there have been at least four carjackings in the borough, three of which came within a 36-hour period.

A VW Polo was taken in Black Boy Lane, Tottenham, last Wednesday, a Mercedes in Rosebery Road, Muswell Hill, last Thursday and a Vauxhall Cavalier was stolen last Friday in High Street, Hornsey.

Each time, the thieves have been described as two black men.

Women drivers appear to have been particularly targeted by the thieves, but police have issued warnings to all drivers when driving around London.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: "We are extremely concerned over this particular type of robbery and we have noticed a rise in this sort of offence."

He added: "We believe at the moment that there are five or six teams in London perpetrating this particular type of robbery but while we fully appreciate the fear generated by this type of crime we do stress that it is not prolific."

Sgt Lee Adamson, of Tottenham police, added: "People should be vigilant and if you are at all suspicious then drive straight to a police station and report it."

The Metropolitan Police have issued several pointers to car users to make for safer motoring:

Look and listen when you stop at traffic lights. If someone tries to attract your attention, just look away. Keep all valuables out of sight.

If someone tries to force your window open, hit their hand with anything you can find and move on as soon as possible.

Take control if someone tries to stop your car and use your horn and hazard lights to attract help.

If you think you are being followed, get someone's attention, drive to somewhere crowded, flash your lights and sound your horn.

If you are travelling a long distance, take a map so you don't need to ask for directions.

Police have also explained that, once the cars have been stolen, they are usually either sold overseas, used for crime, or sometimes just dumped.

If you were a witness to, or have any information about, any of the incidents in the borough, call the crimedesk at Tottenham police station on 8345 0836.