QUICK action taken by villagers and police led to the arrest of a caravan thief and recovery of the stolen vehicle.

QUICK action taken by villagers and police led to the arrest of a caravan thief and recovery of the stolen vehicle.

Within minutes of the theft from Pius Drive, Upwell, on the afternoon of Wednesday January 6, police were on the tail of the offenders after callers reported details of their description, the vehicle they were travelling in and where they were headed.

Half an hour later, at 1.15pm on Wednesday January 6, Cambridgeshire police had arrested three men in nearby Rings End and recovered the caravan intact.

The 18-year-old get-away driver, Shaun Wheeler, from Ashleigh Road, Peterborough, was yesterday sentenced to six months in a Young Offenders’ Institute after pleading guilty to stealing the caravan. He was also sentenced to a further two months, to run concurrently, for driving whilst disqualified.

His 23-year-old accomplice, also from Peterborough, was given a 12 month Community Order and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the community for an offence of theft when he appeared at court in May.

Inspector Mick Bates said: “Cases such as this highlight the importance of the timing and the quality of the information we receive from the public. Thanks to the quick actions of witnesses in Upwell, stolen property was recovered and the thief arrested, convicted and jailed.”

Members of the public are advised to use 999 call police for ‘live’ offences of a serious nature or where offenders are still in or have just left the area. Non-live crimes and other matters should be reported using the Norfolk Constabulary non-emergency number 0845 456 4567.