Police are investigating a 'violent robbery' in which an Audi which is used as a private ambulance for home circumcisions was stolen outside a house in east London.

The distinctive private ambulance - a brightly-coloured Audi TT which feature emerency vehicle-style blue and yellow check markings with the words 'medical response' printed on it - was taken in a suspected carjacking.

The incident happened around 5.15pm in Barking, east London yesterday. The car belongs to Ephraim Josovic, a Hackney-based private circumcision surgeon who does home visits.

The distinctive private ambulance in ambulance-style blue and yellow check markings with the words 'medical response' - was taken in a suspected carjacking in Barking, London, at 5pm last night

Mr Josovic was ambushed by three men who 'pounced' on him as he left a patient's house and stole they keys to his car, which is believed to have been purchased privately and is needed in case of emergency after care.

It has been reported Mr Josovic's watch was also stolen during the incident.

The Care and Quality Commission regulate the use of private ambulances in the UK, For a private ambulance to use its siren and lights it must fulfil a certain criteria - but it is understood a circumcision ambulance would not qualify.

Section 16 of The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 clearly indicates that only an 'emergency vehicle' can be fitted with a blue 'warning beacon' - but a private ambulance could fit this description.

The Twitter account of Shomrim, a north London-based voluntary Jewish neighbourhood watch and patrol, shared a photo of the vehicle and said: 'Please lookout for this distinct Audi that was stolen in a violent robbery in #Barking.'

The post was shared more than 400 times in the hope of tracking it down.

Meir Taub, a friend of Mr Josovic and a member of Shomrim neighbourhood watch, said: 'When he came out, three suspects approached him and they covered his mouth.

'They robbed his keys and his watch as well before taking off in his car.'

Mr Josovic (his website is pictured) performs circumcisions for several different communities

Mr Josovic, who owns the Circumcision London business and charges from £180 for a local visit, performs circumcisions for several different communities.

Religious circumcision is largely unregulated in the UK - but medical professionals who have botched private operations have faced sanctions from the GMC.

When the picture of the stolen car went viral online, many social media users questioned why a private circumcision surgeon has an ambulance complete with emergency vehicle markings and flashing lights.

A CQC spokesman said: 'A person who is not a healthcare professional who drives a vehicle in which, or from which, he or she undertakes circumcision purely for religious reasons, is not classed as a 'regulated activity', which would mean that they would not need to be registered with CQC.

He added: 'However, were the circumcisions to being performed on medical grounds or were the person to use the 'ambulance' to transport people to hospital who require treatment, then the service would probably be classed as the regulated activity of 'transport services triage and medical advice provided remotely', in which case it would need to be registered with CQC.'

Scotland Yard confirmed they were investigating the theft and said no arrests have been made.

The car was found this morning abandoned in a pub car park in nearby Newham.

MailOnline contacted Mr Josovic this afternoon, who confirmed the vehicle had been found. He refused to comment any further on the incident.