A TEENAGER was arrested after a stolen tractor failed to stop for police and drove dangerously on rural roads.

The incident unfolded at around 11.40pm on Sunday (May 26) when police were called about a yellow JCB Fastrac tractor with a trailer that had been stolen from the Martinstown area.

Officers were sent to the scene and the vehicle was seen driving on the A37 north of Dorchester before travelling on a number of rural roads in the Dorchester and Piddle Valley area.

“It was reported that the vehicle failed to stop for police on several occasions and continued travelling along roads in the Dorchester area overnight,” a Dorset Police spokesperson said.

The tractor was eventually stopped in the area of Bradford Peverell at around 7.45am on Monday morning, and a teenage boy was arrested in connection with the incident.

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

“We are carrying out a full investigation into this matter and I would appeal to any witnesses to the manner of driving of this tractor, and particularly anyone who has captured relevant dashcam footage, to please contact Dorset Police.”

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 26:599.

They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org, or by calling 0800 555 111.