PATROLLING police caught a pair of Christmas tree thieves red-handed this week.

Officers spotted a suspicious vehicle parked in the lay-by outside Leigh Sinton Farms, in Leigh Sinton Road, at 12.30am on Wednesday morning.

The car had a Christmas tree worth £40 strapped to the roof. Two men were arrested on suspicion of theft and later issued with a police caution.

Local Policing Officer for Dyson and West Malvern, PC Dave Eversham, said: “The farm has had problems with theft of trees in the past so we ensured there were increased passing patrols over the Christmas period. I hope this goes out as a warning to any potential Christmas tree thieves.”