A CAR was dumped in the Grand Union Canal on Monday after joyriders stole it and drove it across a golf course.

Police were called to West Herts Golf Club in Rousebarn Lane after a witness heard a car being driven across the course and into the canal at about 5am on Monday.

The witness saw two men getting into a blue Ford Escort and speeding off towards Watford after dumping the red Ford Orion into the canal.

Both the Escort and the Orion had earlier been stolen from Leaford Court and Leaford Crescent in Watford.

A police car passed the blue Escort as it was driving towards Watford, with five people inside acting suspiciously. They followed the car down Ridge Lane, where it stopped and the occupants ran off. One 18 year-old-man from Watford was arrested. A full area search was carried out by police but no one else was caught.

At 9am police, with the help of British Waterways, started recovery of the Ford Orion from the canal.

Both the Orion and the Escort were taken for full forensic tests. The owners of the cars were informed of their whereabouts.

Events continued to unfold when the owner of the blue Escort informed police another car had been abandoned in Leaford Court. Police now believe this car, which was also reported stolen, may have earlier been used in a robbery in Milton Keynes.

Officers are now liaising with Thames Valley Police and making further enquiries. Anyone who can help with their enquiries should telephone Watford CID on 01923 472000.