A police chopper was scrambled to help catch two teens who have been arrested on suspicion of stealing a catalytic converter.

Shortly after midnight yesterday, a group of people were spotted climbing under a car in Truro Road, Ramsgate.

Police rushed to the scene by which time the group had left, but a vehicle linked to the incident was tracked to the A299 Thanet Way.

The vehicle then failed to stop for officers when requested to do so, and its occupants decamped in the Whitstable area.

A police helicopter and police dog were called in to help track them down.

An 18-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of theft and have since been bailed pending further enquiries.

Catalytic converters contain precious metals such as rhodium, platinum and palladium which 'clean' exhaust gases.

According to Crimestoppers, palladium is currently more valuable than gold, meaning a catalytic converter can sell for more than £500 on the black market.

For more information on how to protect your car from catalytic converter theft, visit the Kent Police website.

Anyone who has been a victim of catalytic converter theft or has witnessed anything suspicious in their street is urged to report it to Kent Police online, or by calling 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress.