High speed pursuits and drunken HGV drivers: Doncaster police reveal town's lockdown crimes

Police in Doncaster have revealed they have had to deal with drunken lorry drivers, high speed pursuits, dangerous drivers and stolen cars during lockdown.
SY Police have revealed details of crimes trhey have been dealing with in lockdown.SY Police have revealed details of crimes trhey have been dealing with in lockdown.
SY Police have revealed details of crimes trhey have been dealing with in lockdown.

Traffic officers across town have been kept busy in recent days – including three pursuits during a 12 hour shift on Monday alone.

At around 8.40pm, two incidents came in within a minute of each other, with both requiring officers to respond.

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The first was reports of an HGV crossing lanes on the A1 northbound. After turning southbound, officers stopped the vehicle and the driver, who was believed to be intoxicated and was arrested on suspicion of failing to provide a roadside breath test.

At the same time, a Volkswagen Jetta believed to have been stolen during a burglary in Doncaster was spotted in Barnsley. The driver fled as officers approached. The vehicle’s passenger was arrested and enquiries are continuing.

In another incident, the driver of a Vauxhall Corsa failed to stop and a pursuit began. The vehicle was later found parked up and was recovered. A man was later arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified and driving offences.

Later in the evening, officers came across another driver in Armthorpe, who had failed to stop for firearms officers earlier in the afternoon.

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Failing to stop again, another pursuit commenced. Officers deployed a stop stick – a device used to deflate tyres - and the Audi A5 came to halt.

The driver then decided to run and after a short chase a man, 32, was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop and dangerous driving, and for other driving offences.

Finally, a Mercedes C Class failed to stop between Stainforth and Fishlake. The driver, a 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop and driving without insurance after crashing.

Supt Paul McCurry said: “Each traffic officer works exceptionally well as a leader, but when they come together to track down criminals they are second to none in their work. I am really proud to have them keeping our communities safe across South Yorkshire.”