Cheshire Police stopped a HGV on the M62 this week after the driver stole from a storage container in Portsmouth, with a police helicopter heard by residents over South Cheshire

On the morning of Wednesday 7 January, officers were notified the lorry was on false plates heading northbound between junctions 16 and 17 of the M6.

The HGV was identified travelling through the county, with a police helicopter following the vehicle.

It was then safely contained by officers from the Roads and Crime Unit on the M62 at junction 11.

The 50-year-old HGV driver was arrested on suspicion of theft, driving while disqualified, no insurance, and going equipped for theft. He has since been bailed pending further enquiries (Photo: Cheshire Police).

On searching the HGV they found 100s of steam cleaners which had been stolen from the Hampshire area.

The 50-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of theft, driving while disqualified, no insurance, and going equipped for theft. He has since been bailed pending further enquiries.

Chief Inspector, Cameron Taylor, said: "He clearly thought he was going to make a clean getaway with his haul, but he didn't expect we would continue our relentless pursuit across borders.

"This was a fantastic piece of teamwork between our force, West Midlands and Greater Manchester Police."