Six men arrested after Police chase across Wiltshire
Two vehicles hit speeds of up to 90 mph
Six people from Hampshire and Surrey have been arrested after a Police chase in rural Wiltshire.
It happened around 2.30am Thursday (3 Jan), when officers spotted two suspicious vehicles on Hackpen Hill near Marlborough.
One of the vehicles had a defective rear brake light and no insurance. Dogs were also seen in the rear of the vehicles. Police attempted to stop them both but the vehicles sped away towards Broad Hinton.
POLICE CHASE OFFICERS 'BLINDED' BY LIGHTS
High powered lamps were used from the rear of the fleeing vehicles to try and blind the chasing officers, whilst hurtling at speeds of 90 mph towards Avebury.
The pursuit headed on to Beckhampton where the crooks went the wrong way around the roundabout before heading onto the A4 towards Calne.
The vehicles eventually eluded Police by dodging up a byway near Yatesbury.
CROOKS TRY RAMMING INTO POLICE
Undeterred, Wiltshire Police 'contained' the area and the two vehicles were found on a byway in Broad Hinton where the desperate crooks attempted to reverse ram a police vehicle.
The fleeing gang eventually left their vehicles, with their dogs, and legged-it into a field near Hay Lane. The police helicopter (NPAS) was called in, and the men were found hiding in a field.
Six men were arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop and hare coursing.
They are:
A 27-year-old man from Guildford
A 30-year-old man from Guildford
A 30-year-old man from Farnborough
A 24-year-old man from Alton
A 31-year-old man from Winchester
A 23-year-old man from Micheldever
The dogs, and both vehicles, have been seized.
Wiltshire Police Superintendent Phil Staynings said:
“Once again this is an excellent example of officers across the county and the National Police Air Service working closely together to locate individuals suspected of hare coursing, despite attempts to evade police."
“The manner of driving during the pursuit was extremely dangerous – it is fortunate that this incident happened in the early hours of the morning when the roads were relatively clear."
“I’m really pleased that the persistence of our officers paid off, and we now have six individuals in custody arrested on suspicion of hare coursing, dangerous driving and failing to stop."
“We continue to crack down on hare coursing in Wiltshire and our rural crime team is continuing to work closely with local officers to ensure we respond quickly and effectively to any reports of suspicious behaviour."
“Our message remains clear - if we suspect anyone of hare coursing in Wiltshire, we will act swiftly and efficiently.”