A MILKMAN chased down milk bottle thieves in Purbeck this morning.

Police officers were called to assist with a theft of milk bottles from a property in Swanage.

A call was made to Dorset Police at 5.45am with reports of the incident on Shore Road following a delivery from a milkman, who works for Swanage Dairy.

In a post on the Purbeck Safer Neighbourhood Team's Facebook page, they described how, as the milkman travelled along the seafront, he saw 'a group of youths throw milk bottles onto the road like missiles'.

The 'vigilant' milkman then drove around the area in an attempt to find those involved, after discovering the bottles had been taken from a nearby property.

He saw a group of young people, who he believed were the offenders, and gave chase on foot, managing to catch one of them before calling the police.

The statement on the page continued: "The police were called and as a result of enquiries, the 19-year-old offender has agreed to write a letter of apology and pay compensation for his misdemeanour."

Purbeck Safer Neighbourhood Team added that while it may have been a bit of fun for the offenders, it could have a knock-on effect for the business and livelihoods of others, 'not to mention no milk for the customers cornflakes this morning'.