Peewees in hot pursuit of stolen car

10:01am Tuesday 13th May 2008

BUTTERFLY enthusiast John Ball could not believe his misfortune when his car was stolen while he was planting flowers.

But John's luck turned around when two student police officers taking part in a lesson recovered it after a high-speed chase.

John's stolen Volkswagen Polo was picked up by the police's Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology in Thamesdown Drive.

Police trainees PC Sarah Watts and PC Leanne Kavanagh were on patrol in Rodbourne with their tutor, PC Kevin Payne, when they spotted the car in Rodbourne Road.

As the junior cops gave chase the driver of the stolen car mounted a roundabout. A man and woman fled the scene.

Police spokesman Martin Dunscombe said: "The officers chased the two people and a short distance away arrested them on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.

"Both people were taken to Gablecross police station where they were interviewed in connection with the offences.

"The driver, an 18-year-old local man, was released on police bail pending further inquiries. The female passenger, a 17-year-old local woman, was later released without charge."

Sgt Andy Cox said: "Thanks to the quick actions of these officers we have been able to recover the victim's car for him and having spoken to him, I know that he is extremely grateful.

"The two officers, who were undergoing training, should also be congratulated for the part they played while still relatively new to operational policing.

"They clearly put into practice the skills and knowledge that they had recently been taught. This is an excellent example of where state-of-the-art policing technology and good policing craft, coupled with effective training, has resulted in the detection of this crime and the recovery of a victim's property.

"It also demonstrates the determination that all officers have to apprehend offenders and keep the residents of Wiltshire safe."

After his car was returned, John said: "I am overjoyed and greatly relieved. I count my blessings - especially given that I had absent mindedly left the keys in the door, and negated my insurance.

"To get the car back in one piece was a great relief."

Although he has his car back, John is still hoping some of his belongings that were inside the car can be found.

The gardening tools he uses to plant flowers that attract butterflies have gone, as well as a toy dog "A car is almost a home-from-home when you travel around, full of personal bits and bobs," he said.

"Silly things like Bernard, my St Bernard furry puppy that used to sit on the dashboard, staring at you accusingly if you strayed above the speed limit, and leaping at you if you accelerated too hard."

Anyone who has seen Bernard (the toy dog in the picture is a replica) or John's tools, possibly in the area around Cheney Manor, should contact the Adver newsroom on 01793 501800.

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