POLICE have arrested fuel thieves in County Durham after chasing them down during a pursuit that saw jerry cans of diesel getting thrown at officers and the police helicopter being deployed at the scene. 

Police units from the Cleveland & Durham RPU C-Relief were deployed to Wheatley Hill, County Durham on Friday (April 1) following several reports of fuel thefts in the area.

After establishing that four individuals were linked to the thefts, the suspects are alleged to have had more than £170 worth of stolen diesel in jerry cans inside their van, which were hurled out the windows at pursuing officers.

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With assistance from National Police Air Service HQ, all four were found hiding in a wooded area and taken to custody.

They were released under investigation while further enquiries are carried out.

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