Shock after dump truck taken for joy ride around Norwich estate

Families were shocked today after a dump truck was taken for a joy ride around an estate near Norwich.

Two men took the vehicle from a construction site before weaving it down narrow streets and near homes at the Queen's Hills estate, Costessey.

People woke to find the heavy planter straddling the junction between Linnet Road and Siskin Road, where the pair abandoned it when disturbed by police.

Raisa Osbourne, who lives on Linnet Road, said she woke when she heard two people running past her house.

The 22-year-old sales assistant said: 'I got up and looked out of the window and I saw the police arresting two people.

'I was really shocked to see what was happening. My husband looked out of the window first and said 'there's a huge dumper on the road'. I couldn't believe it.'

Meanwhile, Sarah Hayes, of Queen's Hills, had to help the police jump start the truck because the battery in the dumper was flat.

She said: ' The policeman told me that I was really lucky the two men left the truck with the hand-brake on other wise it could have crashed into my home.'

However, Michelle Michie, of Queen's Hills, was only aware the incident had taken place in the morning.

The 31-year-old make-up consultant said: 'When they started the engine I could not believe how loud it was - and how I had managed to sleep through the whole thing.'

Police were first called to the Queen's Hills at 2:20am after a report that a heavy plant vehicle was moving close to the estate.

It is believed the two men may have been attempting to steal the vehicle.

Two men, one in his 20's and one in his 30's, have been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently being questioned.

Did you see the incident? Contact reporter Ben Woods on 01603 772439 or email ben.woods@archant.co.uk.