Suspected thieves torched their car before fleeing from police in East Knoyle earlier this week.

A member of the public reported a suspected catalytic converter theft in Tisbury at around 2am on Monday, May 24.

Shortly afterwards, police officers spotted a vehicle matching the description given as it drove through the Mere area.

The silver BMW saloon failed to stop and made off at speed.

The suspects abandoned their car on the A350 at East Knoyle shortly after 3.45am and set it alight.

The suspects are also thought to have been committing offences in the Avon Somerset and Dorset areas.

Inspector Pete Sparrow said: “We are aware of the growing number of incidents of people attempting to steal catalytic converters from vehicles in our area and have increased patrols in response to this.

"Although we did not make any arrests on this occasion, we have certainly stopped them in their tracks.

"With the help of our colleagues in neighbouring force areas and our extensive intelligence resources, we are determined to crack down on these criminals and disrupt them at every turn.

“We would like to hear from anyone who may have been driving on the A350 in East Knoyle early this morning who may have recorded dash cam footage that could help us.

"This is a remote area and footage from the time could help identify a second vehicle which we assume must have picked up the offenders.”

Anyone with information that can help identify those responsible should call us on 101 quoting log 26 of yesterday (24/05)