Gosport man caught in footrace by 'eagle eyed' officers that 'swarmed' area 'like angry wasps' over driving offences

By Freddie Webb
Published 18th Jan 2023, 10:32 BST
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PERCEPTIVE officers caught a man who bolted from his car when he saw police to evade driving offences.

Emergency personnel were patrolling Gregson Avenue, Gosport, on Sunday evening when they spotted a suspicious vehicle. Police constable (PC) Cottrell, reporting on Gosport police Facebook, said: ‘As we were getting back into the Police vehicle, eagle eyed PC Davey spotted a vehicle that had a brake light out driving along Gregson Avenue away from us.

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‘Alas this was not the only reason she noticed it – PC Davey was a detective for many years and there are not many things that escape her. She recognised the registration plate and told me that it was involved in drug supply in Gosport.’

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The man was reported for summons following the police chase. Picture: Habibur RahmanThe man was reported for summons following the police chase. Picture: Habibur Rahman
The man was reported for summons following the police chase. Picture: Habibur Rahman

Officers followed the Fiat Punto as it tried to flee police by turning into Prideaux-Brune Avenue. The vehicle turned into a residential car-park and the two occupants tried to run away from police on foot.

‘Before I could even unclip my seatbelt PC Davey had ejected herself from the police car at speed and like a dog with a bone she chased both males on foot through a cutway onto Birch Drive,’ PC Cottrell added. ‘I relayed the information over the Police radio and E shift swarmed in the area like angry wasps.’

‘But of course it was acting police sergeant (APS) Keely, who never misses a trick, that spotted the driver just half a mile away continuing to run away. APS Keely handcuffed the male to a railing and further units arrived.’

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The suspicious vehicle was initially spotted in Gregson Avenue, Gosport. Picture: Google Street View.The suspicious vehicle was initially spotted in Gregson Avenue, Gosport. Picture: Google Street View.
The suspicious vehicle was initially spotted in Gregson Avenue, Gosport. Picture: Google Street View.

PC Cottrell added he found suspected cannabis – seized by officers – and weighing scales in the abandoned car. He said alongside other things in the vehicle, he found a bank card of a male known to police in the drivers seat. A police spokesman said one man has been reported for summons for driving offences, after being interviewed by officers at the roadside.

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He added: ‘The man – a 28-year-old from Gosport – was interviewed at the roadside for the offences of driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance. He was then subsequently reported for summons.

‘The vehicle, a Fiat Punto, was seized by police.’