Petty theft is not what it used to be. There was a time when teachers would bemoan teenagers stealing the school stationery or, at worst, a computer.

But two ambitious joyriders have taken theft to a new level - they tried to nick a helicopter. The pair struck while the unlocked aircraft was parked in a field at Letchworth Rugby Club in Hertfordshire. The pilot returned to find that an iPod, first aid kit, torches and fire extinguisher had been stolen.

They had also gone through the first few stages of trying to start the engine. The pilot spotted the pair hiding in the bushes when he hovered above the scene doing safety checks.