Footage shows M62 police chase involving lorry and 3 police forces

Dean Higgins, 35, of Winrose Avenue, Leeds, has been jailed for 27 months after pleading guilty to theft, driving whilst disqualified, and dangerous driving.

Connor Barnett, 21, of Quarry Way, Leeds, has been jailed for 14 months after pleading guilty to theft.

The pursuit began on December 12 after a man was asleep in a heavy-goods vehicle in the Woolston area of Warrington when he was woken by loud banging coming from the rear trailer at around 3.45am.

He saw that tyres from his trailer were being unloaded and placed onto another -with around 500 in total reportedly being taken. The police were contacted and the HGV filled with the stolen tyres fled the scene.

Officers soon located the vehicle – which was displaying false plates – as it entered Greater Manchester Police’s force area via the M62 from the M6, with officers joining Cheshire’s in a covert pursuit while the means to stop the vehicle were put in place.

Once the lorry entered the West Yorkshire area, it failed to stop and a pursuit began, with the police helicopter scrambled.

The lorry weaved in and out of traffic between lanes, putting other road users at significant risk of harm as Higgins drove the vehicle in a dangerous manner to avoid police.

During this pursuit, Higgins crashed with a GMP traffic car, causing it to spin out and crash into the central reservation. The officer in the vehicle only received minor injuries.

The pursuit came to an end after the lorry, which was stung earlier in the pursuit, lost control and came to a rest near Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Higgins and Barnett fled the vehicle as it came to a stop, making off across the opposite carriageway.

The two were quickly located thanks to the assistance of the helicopter specialist dog units within GMP, and officers from West Yorkshire Police.

PC Philip Raymond, from GMP’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “This was a highly challenging and dangerous pursuit which involved colleagues from three different police forces.

“The pair stole thousands of pounds worth of tyres and showed recklessness as they fled, including spinning out a GMP officer – we are fortunate there were not more serious consequences for their actions.

“The work of Cheshire, GMP, and West Yorkshire has meant that the pair are now rightly behind bars for their crimes, and is testament to the commitment and dedication of all police forces.”

Detective Inspector David Schofield, from Cheshire Police, said: “This is another fine example of forces working together to catch criminals and put them before the courts. They certainly got more than they bargained for when they came to Cheshire to steal and thought they could simply get away with it.

“I hope this sends a message loud and clear that we are tireless in our efforts to stop cross-county criminals in their tracks and get justice for victims.”