Pictures posted on social media showed the black Toyota wedged on a flight of stairs at Broadgate Circle near Liverpool Street station.

Passersby posted on Twitter questioning how the vehicle had ended up stranded close to an area often packed with pedestrians.

Joe Gorf wrote: "Trying a new shortcut into Liverpool Street."

Another user added: "Sat Nav set to walk mode? Oops Wrong turn."

And Rose McConaghy said: "Seems like an inappropriate place to park your car."

City of London Police confirmed officers had been called to Broadgate Circle in the early hours after reports that a "confused driver" had driven down some steps.

A police tweet said "A lot of calls for @CityPolice tonight - this 1 is definitely most obscure! Driver reported for driving without due care."

The car remained cordoned off for 12 hours while police recovered the vehicle.

A spokesman said the driver had been issued with a warning for driving without due care and attention but had not been arrested.

He added: "The male was given a breath test at the scene but it came back negative."