Police stopped a BMW X5 towing a suspected stolen caravan yesterday and were staggered to find an 11-year-old child at the wheel.
Police find 11-year-old boy towing caravan along the M1 Police stopped a BMW X5 towing a suspected stolen caravan yesterday (Thursday) and were staggered to find an 11-year-old child at the wheel. At around 3.30pm on 7th March, police received a call that a caravan had been stolen from a caravan holiday site near Thirsk and was being towed away by a black BMW. Officers were able to track the BMW, that was also using cloned registration plates, travelling south on the A1. 45 minutes after the caravan was reported stolen, police stopped the vehicle on the M1 after it left the A1 at Hook Moor Interchange near Garforth. But nothing prepared them for finding the schoolboy sat at the wheel. A search of the car also revealed equipment typically used by suspects to carry out thefts and a selection of vehicle registration plates. The boy was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including theft, burglary, going equipped for theft, and motoring offences including dangerous driving. He was questioned and has been released on conditional police bail to allow further enquiries to be carried out. A police spokesperson said:
"Thanks to the quick work of our skilled roads policing officers, our control room and intelligence team working in the background, the rightful owners have been updated that their caravan had been found.No-one was injured during the incident. Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.

Harrogate-based Sporting Influence Foundation to tackle 24 climbs in 24 hours
Giant vegetables take centre stage at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show
Alpamare waterpark to be sold to 'protect its future' with private investment
Roadworks causing growing disruption in Harrogate and Knaresborough, officials admit
Yorkshire artist brings Harrogate's Old Market Hall back to life
Martin House hosts first children's palliative care conference
Judge appointed to lead inquiry into North Yorkshire mental health trust
Harrogate group raise more than £40,000 with cycle to Bordeaux
Scotton pub wins Tripadvisor award for seventh year running
Almost 2,000 people sign Knaresborough landslip petition
Police appeal after Range Rover damaged in Knaresborough
St Aidan's teacher recognised at national Teacher of the Year Awards
Bramham Park to host its first Christmas market
Harvest gown unveiled for flower show's 50th anniversary
Ripon's Mario's Restaurant named among Tripadvisor's top 10%
Harrogate Rugby Club reveals plans for clubhouse expansion and padel courts
Police appeal after Lister House minibus vandalised in Ripon
Council urged to "show me the money" and provide evidence of home-to-school policy change savings
Kate Mosse and Prue Leith among stars of Harrogate Literature Festival
Ripon among UK's top cities for missing parcels


