By james art An officer jumped from a police helicopter to arrest two men in a County Durham field after a “prolonged” police chase.
Officers on patrol in Bishop Auckland on Monday (October 28) afternoon spotted a suspected stolen scooter driven by two men who failed to stop.
A police pursuit was launched through the town and surrounding areas, with the National Police Air Service (NPAS) sending a helicopter to hover over it.
The suspects eventually abandoned the scooter and left the fields, and officers pursued the duo on foot.
Footage of the incident captured by the police helicopter (Image: DURHAM POLICE)
Several police cars were seen parked along High Bondgate at the time, as previously reported in The Northern Echo here.
The helicopter was brought close to the ground so the tactical officer could jump out and contain the two men in the field before officers arrived.
Both were arrested for a number of offenses including theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and failure to stop.
Officers arrest a man as a police helicopter circles in the distance (Image: DURHAM POLICE)
Police officers arrest a man (Image: DURHAM POLICE)
Durham Police said: “Officers on patrol in Bishop Auckland this afternoon observed a suspected stolen scooter being driven by two males.
“The motorcyclist failed to stop and led officers from the motorcycle section and the RPU on a long chase through the town and surrounding areas.
“The National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter was overhead and followed the suspects as they abandoned the scooter and made their way across the fields, with officers in pursuit on foot.
High Bondgate Police (Image: Ian Sanderson-Simpson)
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“The pilot brought the helicopter close to the ground, allowing the tactical officer on board to jump out, chase and detain the two men in the field before additional officers arrived.
“The men were arrested for a number of offenses including theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and failure to stop.
“2 more members of the Balaklava cycling club in custody. The best team effort from RPU, Bikes and NPAS 32 from Newcastle.”