Police managed to save Christmas Day for two families in Yorkshire – but are now on the hunt for a Land Rover Defender to track down the culprits who stole presents.

Homes in Airmyn and Howden in East Yorkshire were targeted by thieves who snuck in between 4am and 5am on Christmas Day and stole presents. Officers from Humberside Police followed a suspicious vehicle into the Hatfield area of South Yorkshire and managed to get the presents back to the owners in time for them to be handed out.

A statement from the force said: “The occupants of the vehicle fled the scene, but officers were able to retrieve the stolen Christmas presents and return them to their rightful owner in time for them to be handed out.

“We are now interested in speaking with anyone who has any information about a black Land Rover Defender that was seen in the Howden and Airmyn areas in the early hours of Christmas Day, before being stopped near to Hatfield.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the force on 101, quoting incident number 64 of December 25. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police tracing Land Rover Defender after presents were stolen in early hours of Christmas Day