Snow helps police trace suspect

A crime suspect was charged yesterday with burglary and being in possession of a sharp pointed article after wintry weather conditions helped police officers to follow his tracks in the freshly fallen snow.

Officers called to reports of a man smashing car windows on Grange Park Crescent, in Seacroft, Leeds, at around 3.15 a.m., found bicycle tracks in the snow leading to the targeted vehicles.

Police were able to follow the tracks from the cars to a property on a nearby estate, where they found the man with a bike, a screwdriver and a torch. They arrested the 26-year-old man in connection with motor vehicle theft offences.

Inspector Ed Chesters, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "On occasions like this you feel as though Mother Nature is giving you a helping hand.

"The quick thinking of the officers in responding to the incident and following the tracks before they were covered over led to a swift arrest.

"The snow over the last few days has made life difficult for a number of people, but at least in this case we've seen a positive outcome."

Robert Cottrell was bailed to appear at West Berkshire Magistrates' Court on January 5.