Two men have been arrested following a number of reports of theft from rural locations around Wiltshire in the early hours of today.

Police were called shortly before 2am by a member of the public who reported that someone was attempting to steal a flatbed trailer from Lukers Farm in Grittenham near Malmesbury.

The owner was able to follow the suspect’s blue Ford Galaxy which was towing the trailer before they stopped, unhitched it and drove away.

At 7.45am, police received a related report of someone who had taken items from a van in a barn at Weir Farm in Broad Hinton before making off in a Ford Galaxy matching the description of the earlier vehicle.

Shortly afterwards, police received a further call relating to the same vehicle from a member of the public in Turnbull Mews, Chiseldon, who was reporting a driver who appeared to be intoxicated behind the wheel.

The vehicle was located and stopped at 8.45am near Bridge End Road in Swindon.

A 53-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of two counts of theft.

And a 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of two counts of theft and criminal damage. He was further arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

They are currently in police custody.

Inspector Ben Huggins said: “This is a great result and was the result of some excellent teamwork leading to the arrest of these two suspects who are thought to have been behind a number of offences overnight and appeared determined to avoid arrest.”