A forklift truck was stolen, driven down five roads, and then crashed into a tree this morning in Peterlee, County Durham. 

A vehicle is believed to have been taken between 7.00 and 7.25am this morning (Thursday, February 29) from a building site on Stephenson Road, Peterlee.

Now, officers are appealing for information following the theft of a telescopic forklift truck. 

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It is believed to have then been driven along Peterlee's Armstrong Road, Eden Lane, Chapel Hill Road, Keswick Road, and Thirlmere Road, before colliding with a tree on Edenhill Road.

Police are particularly keen to hear from anybody who may have CCTV footage of the incident or of the forklift truck being driven along the above route.

A spokesperson for the force said: "Anybody with any information is asked to contact PC Furlonger via Stuart.Furlonger@durham.police.uk."