A quick-thinking member of the public helped police catch theives who were stealing used cooking oil from a North Yorkshire pub.

The resident rang police in the early hours of the morning after seeing a van being used by two men to steal items from a pub in Boroughbridge.

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North Yorkshire Police Sergeant Paul Cording was able to track down the suspects and found around a dozen drums of used cooking oil in the back of their van.

Both occupants were arrested for theft and taken into custody.

Sgt Paul Cording said on Twitter: "Big thank you to the investigation hub who dealt with the prisoners this morning, both fully admitted the offences and have been issued with a caution as it is their first offence - or first time they have been caught!"

Last month North Yorkshire Police issued a security warning to pubs and food outlets in the county following three incidents of used cooking oil thefts in three days.

It is known that used cooking oil has been targeted by organised criminals in other parts of the UK to use in diesel cars.

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