BUNGLING burglars left behind a trail of ice for police to follow when they stole a boiler from a house just four doors away.

Police were called to an empty house in Firs Lane, Leigh, at 1.50am today, following reports of a break-in.

When they got to the house the officers discovered thieves had broken in through the back door and stolen a boiler from the kitchen.

The officers followed a trail of frozen water to a neighbouring property four doors up the road where they recovered a boiler and arrested two men, aged 38 and 29, on suspicion of burglary.

Chief Inspector Clara Williams said: “This is an excellent example of some good old fashioned police work.

“The officers were quick to respond to the call and their quick-thinking led to two arrests and the recovery of stolen property.

“It is always pleasing to highlight good results that reflect the dedication and commitment of our officers who are out in the community doing what we do best – responding to incidents and catching criminals.”

The two men were being questioned by police last night.

As reported in The Bolton News earlier this year, bungling thief Scott Henderson, aged 24, of Bealey Row, Radcliffe, was jailed for four months after he wheeled two stolen bicycles home, leaving tyre tracks in the snow.

A jury found him guilty of stealing two mountain bikes from the home of a security guard in Bright Street, Radcliffe, at 7.15am on January 6 this year.

The court heard that snow had been falling that night and the victim grabbed a torch and followed the tyre tracks of the bikes, which had been chained together.

He followed the trail in two inches of snow which took him to the door of where Scott Henderson lived with his girlfriend. He alerted police who found the stolen bicycles in the kitchen of the house.

pkeaveny@theboltonnews.co.uk