A MAN was "cold and wet" on his way to prison after police caught him trying to escape a stolen car by crossing a river.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police's Roads Policing Unit spotted a white Fiat 500 with false plates on, in Ripponden, near Halifax, on Monday morning.

They followed the vehicle and a check showed it was "outstanding stolen", having been taken in South Yorkshire.

Police chased after the car.

The driver then came to a stop, before making an escape from the vehicle.

He tried to get across a river, in order to get away from police.

But officers said the man "quickly regretted that decision" and he was caught.

Police arrested him and the Fiat 500 was recovered for crime scene investigation (CSI).

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "Outstanding stolen vehicle bearing false plates was sighted this morning (Monday) in Ripponden.

"Driver made the decision to run from the car into a river.

"He quickly regretted that decision and is now cold and wet and on his way to the cells.

"Vehicle recovered for CSI."