Tractor chase: Teenager arrested after pursuit near Dorchester

A teenage boy has been arrested after police chased a stolen tractor through the night.

A yellow JCB Fastrac tractor with a trailer was reported stolen from the Martinstown area at about 23:40 BST on Sunday, Dorset Police said.

A helicopter was involved in the pursuit of the agricultural vehicle, which has a top speed of about 44mph.

The vehicle was stopped about eight hours later after reportedly failing to do so on several occasions.

Supt Gavin House, of Dorset Police, said: "Officers responded swiftly and worked overnight to ensure any reported risks to other road users were minimised and the incident was brought to a safe conclusion."

After being taken from Martinstown, the tractor was seen driving on the A37 north of Dorchester, before travelling on several rural roads in the Dorchester and Piddle Valley area.

Supt House said the tractor was stopped in the area of Bradford Peverell at about 07:45 on Monday.

He appealed for any witnesses "to the manner of driving of this tractor" and anyone with dashcam footage, to contact the force.

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