IT was not just a lucky night for the Conservatives on election day but also for Melksham police as extra officers on patrol were on hand to make some arrests within minutes.

Police received a call at around 3am on Friday about a group of youths allegedly interfering with vehicles in Southbrook Road.

By luck officers happened to be in the area at the time for election duty, so swiftly arrived to discover a number of vehicles which had either been broken into or had been tampered with and left unsecure.

Four men aged 13-16 from Melksham and Trowbridge were arrested on suspicion of vehicle interference. They have now been released on police bail.

Melksham Neighbourhood policing team Inspector Matthew Armstrong said: “The additional resources available on the night of the count for the general election were put to good use.

“The extra six officers, in the centre of the county, paid dividends when we were called to people acting suspiciously near vehicles in Melksham.

“Having an enhanced ability to search and locate the suspected offenders was excellent and those detained at the scene remain on bail while our enquiries continue.”

Detective Constable Jim Adams added: "We are aware that there has been a number of recent break-ins in the Roundpond, Southbrook Road and Addison Road areas of Melksham.

"We would urge anyone who has had their vehicle or even shed tampered with or broken in to contact me, DC 2274 Jim Adams, via 101 so we can continue to investigate this."