Wellington police have arrested and questioned a man in connection with a series of smash-and-grab thefts from cars and vans in the town.

A dozen vehicles suffered similar attacks in the town centre area over a 12-day period, starting on January 9, and officers believe a single individual was responsible for the incidents.

Last Wednesday, a homeless man matching descriptions given by witnesses was stopped and searched by off-duty officers who had spent two days pounding the beat in an effort to stop the crime spree. A number of CDs were found in the man's rucksack.

Following further enquiries, the man, who is not from Wellington and had been sleeping rough in a public toilet, was found again on Friday and arrested on suspicion of theft.

He was questioned and released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Last week's front page report in the Somerset County Gazette jogged another witness's memory.

A woman realised she had seen a young man in a green hat acting suspiciously around the Blackdown Trading Estate on Saturday, January 17, and contacted the police.