POLICE accused of a ‘lack of interest’ after teenage joyriders stole two cars in West Somerset and crashed one of them have said they are ‘following up’ information about potential suspects.

The Free Press reported last week how youths aged between 14 and 16 years took a VW car from Minehead in the early hours of a Sunday and drove to Watchet.

They abandoned the vehicle after taking its number plates and stole a Ford Focus which they crashed and left upside down as they tried to drive back to Minehead.

The Watchet family involved said police spoke to them on the day but they had not seen an officer since.

Now, a police spokesperson has confirmed an investigation was ongoing into the car thefts and subsequent crash.

The spokesperson said: “A blue Ford Focus was involved in a single-vehicle collision on the A39 at Washford in the early hours of Sunday, October 4.

“The driver and any passengers had left the scene prior to the incident being reported to police at about 4.40 am.

“Officers visited the home of the registered keeper of the vehicle, who prior to police attendance was unaware the car had been stolen from Brendon Road.

“Our investigation has progressed and we have received information relating to potential suspects and those lines of inquiry are being followed up, with the victim being updated later that same day.

“Over recent days, CCTV inquiries have continued and a PCSO has visited neighbouring properties to see if there were any witnesses or other evidential opportunities.”

The spokesperson said police were aware of a ‘small number’ of car thefts in a similar area across the same weekend, and were keeping an open mind on if they were linked to the incident.

Anybody with information about the thefts is asked to call 101 and give the reference 5226283884.