TWO suspected burglars have been arrested after they were followed by an off-duty policeman.

The officer became suspicious after he saw three men leaving a house in The Charter Road, Woodford Green, at around 3.40pm yesterday (April 25).

He followed them and witnessed the trio throwing items into a school playing field - thought to be Woodford County High School.

Unaware they were being watched, the men then sat down on a nearby bench and the officer called for back-up.

When the gang heard the sound of police sirens they ran off into Woodford High Road.

Police arrested two men on the cricket ground in the road shortly after.

A third suspect remains at large.

Officers later recovered a rucksack containing jewellery, mobile phones and other electric items from beneath the bench where the men were sitting.

Daniel Murray, 19, of Manor Road in Leyton, and a 17-year-old from the Edmonton area, who cannot be named, have been charged with burglary.

They are due to appear at Thames Magistrates Court today (Thursday April 26).

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