Chorley police chase sees helicopter deployed and reckless van driver rammed off road

By Matthew Calderbank
Published 6th Jul 2022, 11:58 BST
Updated 6th Jul 2022, 13:00 BST
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A high-speed pursuit saw police chase a reckless van driver through rural Chorley last night (Tuesday, July 5).

The chase got under way after the driver of a Ford Transit failed to stop for police in Chorley at around 5.30pm.

The blue van sped away and was pursued around Heath Charnock, Anderton and Rivington, losing one of its front tyres as it hurtled along the road and around bends.

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The driver made his way back to Heath Charnock but TacOps were waiting for him along the A6 Bolton Road and used their BMW to ram the van into a grass verge.

The police pursuit was brought to a safe conclusion when officers rammed the van onto a grass verge, forcing him to stopThe police pursuit was brought to a safe conclusion when officers rammed the van onto a grass verge, forcing him to stop
The police pursuit was brought to a safe conclusion when officers rammed the van onto a grass verge, forcing him to stop

Nobody was injured but the driver escaped on foot and ran off towards the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

But he had nowhere to hide with Lancashire Police’s dog unit hot on his heels and the National Police Air Service called into action.

He was soon caught and taken into custody in Preston.

He was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop, drug driving, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

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Police statement

A police spokesman said: “This van failed to stop for MN14 in Chorley, resulting in a pursuit around Heath Charnock, Anderton, Rivington and back to Heath Charnock again.

"During the pursuit, the Transit lost its front offside tyre, which only slowed its progress slightly and the driver carried out a series of high risk manoeuvres, causing a danger to the public.

"This resulted in TPAC tactics (tactical pursuit and containment) being used in order to bring the pursuit to a conclusion.

"During which the van was used to ram MN14, causing HX68 to use tactical contact to prevent the van making any further progress and causing any further danger.

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"Although the police vehicles received some minor damage (as well as the Transit), nobody was injured.

"The driver decamped towards the canal, though he was soon arrested with the assistance of dog chauffeur HZ36 (and her sidekick PD Jax), police helicopter NPAS 21, ARV patrols HR92 & HR93 and unarmed Tac Ops colleagues HO30, HO31 and HX61.

"The driver is currently lodged at Preston Custody, having been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop, drug driving, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.”