Man drove wrong way around roundabout and over a field during police pursuit after car stopped on A690

Shortly before 1.30am yesterday, Monday, September 21, Northumbria Police officers stopped a Skoda Fabia on the A690 Durham Road in Sunderland after it showed as having no insurance.

Police say after the woman who had been driving turned off the engine and got out to be questioned, a man in the passenger seat hopped over and drove off.

That sparked a 15-minute pursuit as he reached speeds of 70mph in a 30mph residential area, before the car headed over a large field and the wrong way around a roundabout.

It was brought to a stop when officers, supported by Durham Constabulary, deployed a stinger device in Seaham – the car has since been seized.

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and has been released under investigation.

The 19-year-old woman originally detained has been released under investigation with inquiries ongoing.

Sergeant Nigel Bennett, of Northumbria Police’s Operations Department, has praised all officers involved.

“The driver’s erratic and selfish actions endangered not only his own life and the lives of officers, but families across Wearside as the vehicle in question drove down residential streets at excess speed,” Sgt Bennett said.

“When faced with difficult and fast-moving situations such as this, it’s absolutely essential that officers act decisively but calmly in order to ensure nobody is injured and bring the vehicle is brought to a halt as quickly as possible.

“That was certainly the case here - it was textbook police work by officers, who were supported by colleagues in Durham, and I would like to thank everyone involved for their commitment and handling of this incident.

“Their teamwork and calm thinking under pressure resulted in the successful arrest of two suspects who ended their night in custody.

“There is absolutely no place for behaviour such as this on our roads and we will continue to do all we can to ensure those who endanger the lives of others while behind the wheel are brought to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the Tell Us Something page of Northumbria Police’s website or by calling 101 quoting log 61 210920.

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