Two men arrested after suspected stolen car fails to stop in Rochdale

A vehicle from the GMP’s Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit (TVIU)

Two men – one in his 20s and another in his 30s – have been arrested after failing to stop for officers from GMP's Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit (TVIU).

The unit spotted a vehicle acting suspiciously on Albert Royds Street at around 10.45pm on Monday 24 February and subsequently followed it as it travelled throughout the area.

After dropping two passengers off, the driver of the BMW 3 Series was requested to stop by officers. The vehicle disobeyed that request and made off, speeding through residential areas and driving dangerously through numerous no entry signs.

The pursuit came to a conclusion on a grass verge after the driver of the BMW managed to squeeze the vehicle through a pedestrian footpath before being stung by officers who were in the right place at the right time.

Both occupants were apprehended on suspicion of the theft of a motor vehicle and possession of Class B drugs. The driver of the vehicle was also arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

The suspects remain in police custody.

PC Oliver Rose from GMP's Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit said: “This incident is another example of reckless behaviour which posed a significant threat to public safety.

“Not only to other road users but had a pedestrian been walking along the path at that time the driver mounted it to evade capture, the consequences could have been devastating.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that vehicle theft is an offence we take extremely seriously and will not tolerate in our communities. These arrests demonstrate our commitment to protecting our residents and holding offenders accountable for their actions.”