A stolen excavator was tracked by the police helicopter after the driver turned off a main road and ploughed through fields and bushes to try to escape.

Officers were told the digger had been seen on the A417 at West Hendred, near Wantage, at about 9.50pm on Saturday and followed it towards Goring.

When he realised he was being followed by patrol cars, the driver turned off the road into fields and the RAF Benson-based police helicopter was called in to help.

The crew spotted the excavator abandoned alongside a hedgerow and saw a man crawling through a field. They then directed officers on the ground to the field.

A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of stealing the digger from Stow-on-the-Wold, in Gloucestershire. He was later released on bail until May 20.

Sgt Kev Robinson, of the Chiltern Air Support Unit, said: “This incident demonstrates how the helicopter can provide specialist equipment to complement the work of officers.

“In this case we were able to track the vehicle as it travelled across the fields, meaning the officers on the ground did not have to put themselves at risk.

“This is a great example of how the different police departments can work together.”

Anyone with information should call Gloucestershire Constabulary on 08450 901234 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.