THREE youths have been arrested after a Ford Focus was stolen during a burglary in the Lydney area on Monday afternoon (April 2).

At approximately 4.30pm the silver car was stolen from outside a property on Highfield Road in Lydney.

It was later spotted in Tewkesbury when a member of the public called police after seeing three youths flee the abandoned car on Curlew Close in Bishop’s Cleeve with one youth seen to be in possession of a firearm.

Police officers were immediately deployed and one teenager was arrested after a chase.

Two other youths were located minutes later and found to be in possession of an air rifle.

A 16-year-old from Cheltenham was arrested on suspicion of burglary and firearms offences. A 17-year-old from Cheltenham was arrested on suspicion of burglary, firearms offences and possession of class B drugs and a 17-year-old from Gloucester was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle.

All three teenagers were released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Police are appealing for anyone who has not yet spoken to police and witnessed these incidents to call 101 quoting incident 345 of April 2.