Ambulance stolen outside base

The crew had access to a spare ambulance

Police were forced to burst the tyres of an ambulance to stop it after it was stolen from outside a Devon ambulance station.

The vehicle, which had vanished from Sidmouth on Monday, was halted by officers using a Stinger device as it headed towards the centre of Exeter.

A 21-year-old man from Exmouth was then arrested.

The vehicle was reported missing after an on-call ambulance crew rushed to where it was supposed to be parked after receiving an emergency call.

It was spotted by traffic units on the A3052 at Clyst St Mary with its blue and red flashing lights illuminated.

As it approached Digby Cross, heading towards Exeter city centre, officers used the stinger, which is a "carpet" of hollow nails, to deflate three of its tyres.

The crew was prevented from using the ambulance for the rest of the night.

However, the Westcountry Ambulance Trust said it was fortunate there was another vehicle available, otherwise it said someone's life could have been put in danger.