A TRAINEE policeman, who has only been in the force a matter of weeks, has been commended for his part in arresting thieves who had stolen a caravan from Bromsgrove.

PC Chris Bradley was on leave for the weekend from the training school in Cwmbran, Wales, when he spotted a man driving away with a caravan on June 30.

He was returning home from the West Mercia Constabulary headquarters in Worcester, where he had been celebrating his father's retirement from the force.

It was about midnight when he saw the car and caravan on the A38.

The £12,000 caravan had been stolen from a drive of a house in Redditch Road, Stoke Heath.

PC Bradley notified police headquarters and the Central Police Motorway Group (CMPG), and followed the Volvo and caravan until the driver was stopped by the CMPG on the M40.

Three people were arrested and one was charged with theft.

PC Bradley was presented with a divisional commendation at Redditch police station last week.

Chief Superintendent Patsy Lord said: "I don't recall any officer receiving a commendation as soon in their service as Chris has."

The 27-year old joined the force in May and is currently working on the central sector in Redditch.

He said: "I am very pleased to have received a commendation so early in my career.

"I simply noticed that the driver of the Volvo which was towing the caravan looked quite suspicious and acted upon that."