Norfolk police tail vehicle for two hours at an average speed of 18.5mph, losing two squad cars in the 37-mile pursuit

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Two police cars had to be written off after two hours of chasing a stolen dumper truck through Norfolk at 18.5mph.

The vehicle left police trailing for 37 miles as it drove dangerously along A-roads into Suffolk. A 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.



A Ford Focus and a Volvo belonging to Norfolk police were beyond repair and a police BMW was also damaged, at a cost of £50,000.

The low-speed chase began at about 12.30pm on Monday in Cringleford, on the outskirts of Norwich. The truck was eventually stopped in Brandon, Suffolk, at 2.30pm.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The dumper truck was stolen from the village of Spixworth, just north of Norwich. Photograph: Norfolk Police/PA

DC Andy Vinsen said: “We’re keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed this incident and who hasn’t already spoken with officers.

“In particular, we want to trace two motorists who were driving in the wooded area between Methwold and Mundford at about 1.45pm on Monday who witnessed the damage of a BMW X5 marked police car.

“These were a silver Ford Fiesta, which was being driven by an elderly woman, and a metallic blue Ford Focus driven by a middle-aged woman.”

The truck was taken from a site in the village of Spixworth and officers are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen it being driven from there to Cringleford.

Anyone with information should contact Norwich CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.