A SUSPICIOUS member of the public helped police arrest a thief suspected of stealing a mini-digger.

Police received a call at 8.30pm on Monday after a member of the public became suspicious over the movement of some plant machinery at the rear of a property in Harrogate.

A mini-digger was seen being loaded onto a trailer being pulled by a 4x4 vehicle.

Alerted by the call, police located the vehicle on the B6161 near Beckwithshaw Village and as they arrived at the scene, two men ran away from the 4x4.

A 31-year-old man from Selby was located a short while after and arrested on suspicion of theft.

He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

North Yorkshire Police are continuing to urge people in rural areas to be vigilant, and report any suspicious activity to the police, as part of its Call It In campaign.

Officers say that even if an incident does not need an immediate response, every piece of information helps officers build up a picture and could prove vital in bringing criminals to justice.