Three suspects have been arrested after a high-speed chase across two counties. Police have shared footage of the pursuit which reached speeds of up to 85mph.
It lasted 15 minutes and involved officers from Lancashire and GMP, before ending in Heywood when a stolen car being followed was abandoned, Lancs Live reports. A Ford Fiesta, reportedly stolen from Oldham, drove into Rossendale in the early hours of yesterday (March 31st). After being spotted by officers, the car failed the stop and a police chase through Haslingden took place.
The car was pursued through Rossendale and into Greater Manchester where GMP's tactical vehicle intercept unit was deployed and a police helicopter scrambled.
Soon after, the occupants abandoned the vehicle and ran off. The vehicle had been driven across the M66 and onto Bury Old Road where it was stopped. With the help of NPAS (National Police Air Service) and officers from GMP, three males. all from Greater Manchester were arrested at the scene on suspicion of burglary.
The pursuit comes after Lancashire Police arrested a man for stealing a mini digger and dumper truck costing around £40,000 from Bacup in February. He is now released under investigation pending further enquiries and a CPS decision.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: "As part of our commitment to tackling burglaries and car theft your Rossendale Rural Task Force and Armed Response Units have been patrolling the areas that border Manchester
"In the early hours of this morning a recently stolen vehicle from Oldham entered the Rossendale Valley and was flushed out in the Haslingden area by Rural Task Force officers. The Ford Fiesta failed to stop for the officers and was pursued through Rossendale and into the Heywood area of Manchester where GMP tactical vehicle intercept unit and the police helicopter happily joined us.
"The occupants eventually abandoned the car and ran off on foot but three males from the Greater Manchester area were arrested by officers and are being dealt with by GMP. We have no doubt the officers have prevented crime in Rossendale last night and will hopefully send out a message to criminals thinking of coming here to commit crime.
"Also on Tuesday night officers from Rossendale Rural Task force have arrested a male for stealing a mini digger and dumper truck costing around £40,000 from the Bacup area in February and he is now released under investigation pending further enquiries and a CPS decision. Theft of plant machinery is raising its head again in the area and is something your Rural Task Force are focusing on and prioritising."
