THE cold weather assisted Cheshire Police in the the arrest of a suspected car thief this week after footprints in the snow led officers from the vehicle to the thief's address.

Police were made aware that a black Ford Fiesta had been stolen from a property in Frodsham, at around 10.45pm on Tuesday, January 17.

Officers on regular patrol then sighted the vehicle travelling along Halton Brook Avenue, Runcorn.

Patrols, supported by the police helicopter and police dogs attended the scene and located the vehicle abandoned on Holt Lane.

Officers made a search of the area and found fresh footprints in the snow, they followed these prints and detained a man at Rowan Close.

A 21-year-old man from Runcorn was subsequently arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle. He remains in custody assisting police with their enquiries.