Swift action from a rural Canterbury community has led to three arrests, on burglary, drugs and brail breach charges

Police caught one man on a Swannanoa property yesterday, but two others fled.

Senior Sergeant Stephen McDaniel says locals ' quick reactions helped.

He says calls with details such as the type of vehicle seen, descriptions of people and their direction of travel were very helpful.

The men have appeared in Christchurch District Court charged with burglary, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, possession of cannabis, and breach of bail.