Stolen digger found 20 minutes after it was taken

The digger was reported stolen at 19:50 BST and two men were arrested in connection to the theft at 20:10

Two people have been arrested after police recovered a stolen digger on an A-road within 20 minutes of it going missing.

Officers said several men, all wearing high-visibility jackets, were reported to be involved in the theft from Torkildsen Way in Harlow, Essex, at 19:50 BST on Friday.

Police said they located a low-loader carrying the digger and those inside stopped it on the London-bound A10 and attempted to run. Two men from Hertfordshire were taken into custody.

Det Ch Insp Alan Blakesley said the speed at which officers responded to a report from a "very vigilant member of the public should not be underestimated".

Essex Police said they caught up with low-loader just before 20:10.

The two men, aged 49 and 43, were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and remain in custody.

The 43-year-old was also being questioned on suspicion of driving without insurance and driving whilst disqualified.

Det Ch Insp Blakesley added: "I would like to thank the person who bravely alerted us to this incident, which ensured the officers attending it had all the information they required and in a very short time.

"They assessed the options available to them, with the possibility of the vehicle failing to stop or people becoming injured.

"Thankfully, neither came close to taking place and the incident was brought to very safe conclusion, very quickly."