Four burglary suspects who tried to hide in a farmer's field were arrested after a police drone followed them as they fled from a raid. 

Police were first alerted to reports of a burglary at an address on Cuthbert Avenue in Durham at around 11pm last night (Thursday, June 27).

While the caller was on the phone to the police control room, a vehicle arrived at the address and picked up the suspect before speeding off in the direction of Sherburn.

The victim relayed the registration plate to the control room who then deployed officers to the keeper’s address along with a drone pilot.

A Durham Police spokesperson said: "As officers landed, four people ran out the back of the address into a nearby farmer’s field, ditching their belongings along the way.

"Our drone pilot kept eyes on the suspects who were hiding in bushes whilst officers were directed to them to swoop in and detain.

"All four suspects, aged 19, 18, 17 and 16 were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary."

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The vehicle believed to be used in the burglary was located close by and was found to contain a crowbar in the front passenger’s seat.

This was seized along with a suspected stolen motorbike.

The suspects remain in police custody.