A man is in custody after a burglar broke into a village house while people were asleep and then escaped in their car.

The suspect, 20, was arrested on suspicion of burglary after the vehicle was tracked down.

A police spokesman said: "At around 6.40am yesterday morning police received a call from a householder reporting a burglary at their home in Bulford Hill, Durrington.

"Keys to the victim’s vehicle had been taken and their vehicle was missing.

"Officers Amesbury conducted a thorough area search and extensive Automatic Number Plate Recognition enquiries which enabled them to locate the stolen vehicle – a Nissan Micra – later the same day in the Tilshead area.

"The vehicle was recovered for further enquiries to be conducted, and a 20-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft of a motor vehicle. He was further arrested on suspicion of failing to provide a specimen of saliva and driving whilst disqualified."

He is in custody in Melksham for further questioning.

PC Michael Tryhorn said: “This was excellent team work by all the officers involved which enabled us to locate the vehicle the same day as we received the initial report. As a result, we now have one person in custody.

“This burglary occurred when the homeowners were asleep – it is believed the offender entered the property through a window which had been left slightly ajar. We do not underestimate how upsetting and distressing it must be to find somebody has entered your home where you should feel safe, without your permission, and we are continuing with our investigation.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 101 and quote crime reference number 54190057906.

For more information about burglary and home safety visit https://www.wiltshire.police.uk/article/829/Burglary