A suspected drink-driver was brought to a halt after leading police on a lengthy pursuit along Nottinghamshire country roads.
The vehicle’s speed varied from the low twenties to over 80 mph, with blue-lighted police following behind. Roads Policing Unit officers trailed the van for around half an hour in total, as it moved in and out of the county area.
Police were attending a report of drink-driving when they saw a parked van in Mansfield around 11:30 pm on Sunday (10 November). The van drove away as police approached and continued at low speed towards Derbyshire, despite officers activating their blue lights.
Over the next few minutes, however, the driver accelerated – travelling around tight bends and narrow country lanes. They were seen driving through red lights and negotiating bends on the wrong side of the road as the pursuit made its way back into Nottinghamshire.
After passing through several villages in Bassetlaw, the van joined the B6034 Ollerton Road towards Worksop before heading to the Carburton junction. It was here that specialist Roads Policing Unit officers – who had been trailing the van throughout – made their move and brought the vehicle to a safe stop.
The driver, a 30-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop. Suspecting the man could be under the influence, officers conducted a roadside breathalyser test, which showed him to be over the alcohol limit. He was subsequently also arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.
Sergeant Steve Waft, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said:
“This arrest was made following a lengthy pursuit on country roads that moved from inside, to outside, to back into Nottinghamshire.
“Our specialist Roads Policing Unit officers were tailing the vehicle every second of the way and helped ensure it eventually came to a safe stop.
“This was after the motorist ignored the blue lights behind them and instead continued to drive to a poor standard that put others sharing the roads with them at risk.
“Thankfully, nobody came to any harm, but that was in large part down to the skills, patience, and decision-making shown by the officers in pursuit.
“The suspect was also found to be over the legal alcohol limit when they were pulled over, which will have increased any danger posed to other motorists.
“There is absolutely no excuse for anyone to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and anyone found to do so should expect to find themselves in trouble.”
PC Pearce Riley, the pursuit commander, added:
“If you are thinking of leaving your car at home when you go drinking, don’t think – just do.”
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