FOLLOWING a tenacious pursuit of a van stolen from the city centre containing hundreds of parcels, police confirmed that the 'Grinch' from the Salisbury area who had tried to steal Christmas had been detained. 

The delivery van hired to help with the extra demands of Christmas deliveries was parked outside the Journal office in Milford Street at 2.30 pm on Wednesday, December 21 when it was stolen.

The theft happened in seconds.  

The transit van had a tracking device enabling police to follow its route and a chase led to Warminster police units catching the van near Radstock in Somerset where the van was involved in a low-impact collision in Stratton on the Fosse.

The driver, who Wiltshire Police said "who is reported to have a heart two sizes too small" was detained following a short foot chase.

The force added: "It was suspected that the driver, aged 18 from the Salisbury area, was heading to the mountain just North of Whoville with the intention of throwing the presents into the abyss, although this part has not yet been confirmed.

“This was some excellent communication between the delivery company and the Warminster Response Officers.

"The delivery van has been recovered and although there will be a delay in the delivery of items, it does appear that the tenacity and passion to catch the offender and ‘save Christmas’ for many who were expecting parcels was outstanding.”

Police have asked any witnesses to contact them on 101 quoting 54220133701.