The man and woman were arrested on Tuesday.

Two suspected thieves who tried to make off with a tractor in Oswestry have been arrested after crashing the machine into a telegraph pole.

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Police in the town said the man and woman were arrested on Tuesday after a tractor was stolen from a farm near Oswestry.

Officers said that at around 6am they were called to St Martins following reports that a tractor had been taken from a farm.

The tractor was quickly located after it collided with a telegraph pole near to where it was taken from. When police arrived the suspects had fled the scene.

Officers then searched the area where they located and arrested a man, aged 26, and a woman aged 22, on suspicion of theft. They remain in police custody while enquiries take place.

Inspector Richard Jones, from North Shropshire’s Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "These arrests should provide reassurance to our rural communities that we take reports of machinery theft extremely seriously and will act swiftly to identify and apprehend those suspected of being involved.

“I would like to thank officers for their quick response and determined work in locating the stolen tractor and arresting two people within a short period of time.

“Rural crime can have a significant impact on farmers and landowners, and we understand the distress and disruption these offences can cause. We remain committed to tackling rural crime, supporting our farming communities, and bringing offenders to justice."

West Mercia Police also encourages owners of agricultural machinery, trailers, tools and other valuable equipment to ensure items are security marked, photographed and recorded on a recognised property database such as The Equipment Register: https://orlo.uk/xuz0b