A suspected thief allegedly stole an Amazon delivery van loaded with around £1,000 worth of parcels in Greater Manchester before leading police on a high-speed pursuit that ended in a crash.
The incident began in Wigan on Wednesday evening and continued through Bolton before the stolen vehicle was eventually stopped in Chorley, Lancashire.
Police Locate Stolen Vehicle Minutes After 999 Call
Greater Manchester Police said it received a 999 call reporting the stolen van at approximately 6:23 p.m.
Officers located the vehicle within about 15 minutes and initially attempted to bring it to a stop without initiating a pursuit. The driver, however, allegedly accelerated away from police.
The ensuing pursuit lasted roughly 40 minutes as officers followed the van across several areas.
Driver Allegedly Reaches 100mph
During the chase, the vehicle exceeded the speed limit on three occasions, reaching approximately 100mph.
Police said the driving posed a significant danger to members of the public, particularly as the van travelled through residential areas. A cyclist was injured during the incident, while several pieces of street furniture were damaged.
Chase Ends With Collision in Chorley
The pursuit finally came to an end after the van mounted a pedestrian crossing and collided with a stationary car.
The vehicle sustained significant damage, while no serious injuries were reported. Police subsequently arrested the 25-year-old driver.
Suspect Faces Multiple Charges
The man was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.
He was also arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance and possessing Class A and Class C drugs.
The suspect has since been bailed pending further inquiries.
Police Describe Incident as Extremely Dangerous
Pc Nat Mannyng of Greater Manchester Police’s transport unit described the incident as an “extremely dangerous” episode, highlighting the risks created by the driver’s alleged actions.
Police said the van reached 100mph on residential roads while families, pedestrians and other road users were nearby. Officers also noted that members of the public were harmed during the incident, although the physical injuries reported were minor.
GMP Defends Pursuit Decision
Mannyng said police officers continuously assess the risks associated with vehicle pursuits and that their decisions throughout the incident were focused on protecting the public and bringing the situation to a safe conclusion.
Greater Manchester Police said it would continue taking action against motorists who endanger other road users, warning that reckless driving of this nature could easily result in far more serious consequences.
