Dramatic footage released by Greater Manchester Police shows a high-speed pursuit of a stolen moped through Oldham and Middleton, resulting in the arrest of a 17-year-old boy. The moped reached speeds of 60mph and was driven on pavements during the early-hours chase. A machete was also recovered.
Details of the pursuit
The moped was first spotted by a police patrol on Huddersfield Road, Oldham, in the early hours of Wednesday. According to GMP, after a brief covert follow, the riders became aware of the unmarked police vehicle and made off. They attempted to evade officers by riding through a petrol station but then fell from the moped. The passenger fled on foot, while the rider restarted the vehicle and continued to flee.
The pursuit continued from Oldham into Middleton, tracked by a police helicopter, before the arrest was made on Tonge Roughs, near Middleton Junction. The suspect attempted to flee on foot but was detained by the tactical dog unit. The force said the rider was eventually cornered in a cul-de-sac and arrested after 'low speed tactical contact'.
Arrest and charges
The teenager was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop, possession of cannabis, possession of an offensive weapon, aggravated taking of a motor vehicle without consent, and for being wanted in connection with a serious assault with intent to rob. Both suspects were wearing balaclavas at the time. The rider was not injured, and only minor damage was caused to the police vehicle.
Investigations are ongoing to track down the second suspect who ran away after the crash. Officers also recovered a machete from the scene. The teen remained in custody on Wednesday afternoon.
Police statement
Inspector Tom Abbott said: "Offenders using our roads for criminality can expect a robust response from the Roads Policing Unit (RPU). We continue to use every tactic and resource available to us to keep our roads safe and bring offenders to justice." He added: "To those intent on doing harm – you are not welcome on our roads, and we will ensure you get that message loud and clear. On this occasion, offenders in balaclavas riding a stolen moped, and in possession of a machete, clearly thought they’d be left alone to commit crime in Oldham. They were wrong."
