A MAN had a chilly brush with the law when he tried to evade police officers by hiding in a ditch filled with freezing water on one of the coldest nights of the winter.

A MAN had a chilly brush with the law when he tried to evade police officers by hiding in a ditch filled with freezing water on one of the coldest nights of the winter.

The man, who was being hunted by police on suspicion of trying to commit car crimes, immersed himself chest-deep in the icy water when he was surrounded by officers.

But his spine-chilling escapade proved unsuccessful when the Suffolk police helicopter's heat-seeking equipment homed in on the man and he was arrested by officers on the ground.

A police spokesman said two men had been spotted on closed circuit television cameras at a car compound in Bury St Edmunds at about 8pm on Monday.

Staff monitoring the security cameras alerted officers, who surrounded the compound to search for the men.

The spokesman added: "Police quickly arrested one man. However, the police helicopter was needed to search for the other man.

"He was found with helicopter heat-seeking equipment hiding chest high in a ditch full of water. The helicopter crew were able to direct officers on the ground to where he was and he was arrested."

Both men were being questioned by officers at Bury St Edmunds police station.