Man arrested after stolen van police pursuit

A 29-year-old man was taken into police custody after he led officers on a pursuit, reaching speeds of 60mph in residential areas of Sunderland.

The incident took place shortly before 10pm on Saturday after officers were alerted to a grey Ford Transit that had been reported stolen from the Throckley area.

The vehicle was spotted travelling along Wessington Way when the occupant failed to pull over when instructed.

A pursuit followed, with the van travelling at speeds of up to 60mph in residential areas before being abandoned on Hylton Road.

Police searched the surrounding area and located the suspect, who was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle – the van was also seized.

Chief Inspector Nicola Wearing, of Northumbria Police, has praised the work of all involved and says a coordinated crackdown is ongoing to tackle vehicle-related crime.

She said: “This was an absolutely fantastic piece of policing by those involved after spotting a suspected stolen vehicle travelling in the Sunderland area.

“Officers followed their instinct and pursued the offending van before the occupant decided to make a final bid for freedom on foot.

“We were then able to deploy officers across the area and were quickly able to bring a suspect into custody.

“We know what a huge impact this type of criminality can have on not only the victims but the wider communities as a whole.

"There is absolutely no place for this type of offending, and that is why there is a coordinated crackdown in place to tackle vehicle-related crimes across the force."