A member of public who called police in the early hours of Monday morning about two overnight thefts in Ely helped lead to the arrest of a man yesterday.

Ely Standard: PC Chris Dykstra in recovering the stolen property to Ely police stationPC Chris Dykstra in recovering the stolen property to Ely police station (Image: Archant)

Police were alerted to the thefts – one involving a striking turquoise tri-cycle which was stolen from a rear garden on Cambridge Road, the other a gas barbeque from a house on Kingsley Walk – after the member of public gave information on a relevant sighting and described a potential suspect.

The information led police officers Andy Free, Chris Dykstra and Den Williams to visit a house on Windmill Close yesterday and arrest a 40-year-old male.

The property was recovered intact and is being returned to the owners.

A picture of the ‘unique’ bike was posted on Facebook on Monday and Ely mum Heather Brooks said she is delighted that it has been recovered by police.

Mrs Brooks had built it with her husband Sammy and her two sons, Jasper and Reuben.

The suspect has been interviewed and reported for summons for theft of a pedal cycle and a barbeque.

He will appear before Cambridge Magistrates at a later date.

PC Den Williams said: “This kind of work is entirely dependent on the contribution of the member of the public who called us to tell us about what they saw in the early hours.

“This kind of social conscience supports our actions in protecting people’s property and bringing offenders to justice.

“It’s tremendously satisfying to give people their property back.”

If you have knowledge of any crime or can help police to recover any stolen property, call 101 or CrimeStoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.