A pair of car thieves gave themselves up to police after reading an article in The Argus, Brighton.

In May the paper carried a story about Brighton and Hove city police who are starting to use police dogs to tackle car crime.

The specially-trained dogs are able to follow the scent of thieves ensuring there is little chance of escape.

The two thieves had stolen a dumper truck and were fleeing on foot when police arrived. One gave himself up straight away but the other hid in the woods.

The two PCs were chatting loudly about "getting the dogs" when the second thief suddenly emerged and gave himself up.

PC Oakley said: "Both said they'd seen The Argus article on us using dogs and decided not to argue.

"What they didn't know was that it was a bluff. We didn’t actually have the dogs with us at the time.

"Still, that's the power of the Press for you and we are grateful for it."

The Argus reported that the thieves were both cautioned for theft.

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