TWO men and a teenage boy have been arrested after a failed attempt to steal a van and a digger from an address in Boundstone Lane, Farnham.

The police received a call shortly before 2pm on Monday (January 15) reporting that two people wearing balaclavas were attempting to steal a Ford Transit van that had a trailer with a digger on.

The van was driven a short distance, then abandoned by the two males. A second vehicle, a BMW, which was following the van proceeded to pick up the individuals.

Just after 2.15pm, officers then spotted a different vehicle, a Suzuki Vitara, on Oxenden Road in Tongham that had three occupants wearing balaclavas.

Officers pursued the vehicle, as it made its way to Seale just south of the A31. The three suspects left the vehicle on Totford Lane and attempted to escape on foot.

The officers continued their pursuit on foot through thick mud and were assisted by a police helicopter and dog support.

The suspects were tracked and were located in a field where they were detained shortly before 3.15pm.

Two men, both 26, and a teenage boy aged 17, were arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and traffic offences and have been released under investigation.

A spokesman for Surrey Police said: "Countryside and rural crime impacts residents across Surrey.

"To reduce the chances of plant and agricultural equipment being stolen, we recommend that you don’t keep them in a prominent place, you lock any keys to vehicles or plant machinery away in a safe when it’s not in use and that you should consider using wheel clamps or ground anchors.

"Residents of Surrey who live in rural areas should sign up to CountryWatch which is a free-to-join message alert system helping rural communities to prevent, disrupt and detect criminal activity through https://www.intheknow.community/ and selecting the ’Farming and Other Rural Issues’ option.

"You can also visit our website for more information: https://www.surrey.police.uk/advice/protect-your-neighbourhood/rural-crime/ ."