Seven German prisoners of war, who had been wotking on tine beach at Wells, Norfolk, removing coast defences, and had seen the life-boat launched on exercise, stole a lorry from a car park and drove to the life-boat house on the night of January 5th. They forced open a window and tried to start the engine, but gave up the attempt. They had been seen driving down to the beach by the late tractor driver of the station who gave information to the police, and the seven men were arrested when they returned to the lorry..