Dangerous driver runs into the sea in a desperate bid to evade pursuing police

A dangerous driver ended up taking an impromptu dip in the sea in a desperate bid to evade officers.

Police were on patrol in the Percy Main area of North Shields on the evening of Thursday 7 May, when they came across an Audi which failed to stop and accelerated away from officers.

Police tracked the vehicle to Fish Quay, where the driver abandoned the car and ran off into the water.

But officers were hot on his heels and braved the chilly sea - managing to detain the suspect and bring them back to shore.

Following a search of the car, officers located traces of cocaine along with £650 in cash, a mobile phone and keys for a Mini Cooper which had been reported stolen from the Blyth area two days earlier.

Chief Inspector Sam Rennison, of Northumbria Police’s Motor Patrols department, said: “This was a fantastic bit of work from the teams within the Operations Department.

“Our officers on Firearms, Motor Patrols and Dragoon will continue to work together to target criminals who are causing harm to our communities - and even throwing yourself into the water won’t see them stop.

“When the suspect realised he couldn’t out-run us, he proceeded to try and out-swim us. But our officers were more than up to the challenge and it didn’t take them long before he was detained and brought into custody.

“An investigation is ongoing into this incident and a range of suspected offences. We will continue to work hard to identify suspects who are using our road networks and ensure anybody who flouts the law is dealt with robustly.”

A 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and has been released under investigation. Enquiries are ongoing into the drug seizure and theft of the car.

Image credit: Northumbria Police