A QUICK-THINKING member of the public - who snapped photographs of a burglary - has helped police to make arrests.

The unnamed person saw two men breaking into a property on Hatfield Road in Northallerton being broken into at lunchtime on Sunday, June 11 and swiftly took photographs of the two.

The men left the scene before police arrived, but police were able to circulate the images to neighbouring police forces and Durham Constabulary were able to identify them.

One of the men was arrested the following day and admitted the offence. He was charged with burglary and kept in custody. It transpired that he had also stolen a bike from the train he had arrived in Northallerton on so he was charged and pleaded guilty theft of a pedal cycle.

The second man was arrested today and is currently in custody awaiting interview.

Detective Constable Janine Mitchell of the Northallerton Investigation Hub said: “Sadly, the items which had been stolen from the property are yet to be recovered however, this is a shining example of how the quick thinking actions of a member of the public, and the excellent assistance given by our colleagues in other forces, can help us to track down and detain criminals.”

Anyone with information that could help police to recover the stolen items is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Janine Mitchell. You can also email; janine.mitchell@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

To remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12170101678.