'Down on the floor, down on the floor!': Girl among three arrested after dramatic chase

A suspected team of burglars were taken out on Easter Monday after a high speed chase during which a police helicopter was scrambled. The drama began after GMP's elite Tatical Vehicle Intercept Unit identifiled a cloned vehicle using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) at around 11.30am yesterday.

After being covertly followed on a busy stretch of road, the vehicle continued to be driven at high speeds, failing to stop. The National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter was then used to track the grey Ford Fiesta through Middleton in Rochdale.

As the helicopter pursused the vehicle above residential streets, the car crashed into a pedestrian island on Hollins Lane. With officers in the immediate area supported by district colleagues and the wider Specialist Operations branch, three suspects were detained close by on suspicion of burglary. The pursuit was caught on film, with the moment one suspect was arrested on a residential street as an officer screamed 'down on the floor' caught on bodycam.

Police searched the vehicle and found a baseball bat and hammer, as well as wiring which is believed to be linked to starting motorbikes.

A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to steal and possession of an offensive weapon. He has since been bailed. A 19-year-old man also bailed on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug and an offensive weapon, along with a 17-year-old girl who has been bailed for possessing an offensive weapon.

PC Oliver Rose, of GMP’s TVIU, said: "Our co-ordinated, quick, and tactical response meant we have secured another good result. Thankfully, their actions, especially the drivers in broad daylight didn’t result in any serious injuries to members of the public but our ongoing