A quick-thinking police officer successfully detained a suspected dangerous driver who abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot.
The constable used pedal power to catch the suspect after borrowing a bike from a generous passer-by.
Details of the unusual arrest have been revealed following the incident which began when officers spotted a dark-coloured Skoda car, said to be, “of interest”, travelling in the Whitley Bay area, shortly after 11pm last night (Thursday January 5).
Despite instructing the occupant to pull over, he hit the accelerator and made off from the police, travelling at high speed.
Read more: Three arrested after late-night 20-minute police chase through Stockton late at night
Officers from the Northumbria force’s operations department tracked the car’s movements before it soon came to a stop, and the occupant made off on foot.
Although the suspect had a head start, officers saw a nearby member of the public in possession of a bicycle and asked to borrow it to continue the chase on two wheels.
Within minutes, the cycling officer quickly caught up with a 49-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.
He is said to remain in police custody this afternoon (Friday January 6).
The bike used in the arrest was later gratefully returned to the owner.
Chief Inspector Ian Cutty, of Northumbria Police, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to this Good Samaritan who allowed us to use their bike to quickly catch up with a suspect.
Read more: Durham Sands police incident: Suspects in River Wear after car chase
“This was a fantastic example of the public working with us to help disrupt and detect crime, and I’d like to personally thank the individual who assisted us.
“It was fast-moving incident and the manner of the driving put other road users’ lives in danger.
“It was totally unacceptable, and our immediate priority was to bring the vehicle to a stop and detain who we believed was inside.
“Thankfully, the officers showed superb skill and initiative, not only during the pursuit itself, but also after a suspect had made off on foot.
“Their quick thinking, along with the help of the public, allowed us to swiftly detain a suspect and ensure nobody was hurt.
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“This was an excellent outcome for all involved and we will continue to use every tactic at our disposal in order to pursue suspects and bring offenders to justice.”
More information as to events in the force area is available by its new messaging platform, Northumbria Connected.
It can be accessed via www.northumbriaconnected.co.uk/ for more information.
