Three men were arrested yesterday after a police chase through Crawley involving the police helicopter.

When a police car found the men acting suspiciously in The Birches at about 1.30 in the afternoon, the three men jumped into a car and made off.

The police gave chase but the men abandoned their vehicle in Church Street, before climbing over a fence and running off.

The police helicopter later discovered one of the men hiding in bushes and found the other two close by.

A 17-year-old boy of no fixed address, a 22-year-old man from Redhill, and a 34-year-old man from Cranleigh, were arrested on suspicion of burglary and are now in custody.
Police are appealing for witnesses from anyone who saw a dark coloured Audi A3 in Horsham and Crawley.

Armed robbers targeted a Robert Dyas store in Dorking on Saturday evening.

2 men entered the store in the High Street around 6:40pm as a member of staff was about to lock up.

The men tied him up and threatened him with a knife before leaving with a quantity of money.

No one was hurt in the robbery.

The thieves are described as white, in their 30s, around 5ft 10 inches tall and of slim to medium build.

The first man is described as having a gravelly voice, with breath smelling of cigarette smoke and having a local accent. He was wearing black workman’s boots, dark jogging bottoms and a balaclava with a single eye hole.

The second man is described as wearing a cream coloured baseball cap with a threadbare and worn peak which also had the New York logo on it. He was also wearing black trainers with red markings on them.

Anyone with any information should contact Surrey Police by calling 101, quoting the reference number P14280251.

Alternatively use the online reporting system at www.surrey.police.uk, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Surrey Police is reminding people of the dangers throwing objects at traffic can pose to people.

Two recent incidents on the M23 near Smallfield and Gatwick Airport have caused alarm to motorists and damage to vehicles.

In the first incident, a man was driving northbound at around 4.25pm last Wednesday (24 September) when an item, possibly a house brick, was dropped on to the carriageway causing a dent to the passenger side door of his car.

The following day (Thursday, 25 September) another road user witnessed smaller items, such as stones, being thrown on to the carriageway in the same area.

Officers not only want to find those responsible for these offences but want to educate people about the impact their actions can have.

[Anyone who can assist with this investigation is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference 45140080975. Information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. ]

A court case relevant to many small traders across the county was dealt with by Reigate magistrates last week.

In a case brought by Surrey County Council, Michael Jones, a butcher from Woking, pleaded guilty to placing illegal signs on Highways Land and failing to remove them despite repeated warnings and requests from the council.

He was fined £2,000 plus costs of £1,540.

Surrey County Council maintained that the signs were illegal and could pose obstructions and in some cases a danger to the public, as well as distracting drivers.