Minor Wigan borough traffic offence turned into a police pursuit of stolen vehicle

By Alan Weston
Published 26th Apr 2023, 10:21 BST
Updated 26th Apr 2023, 10:21 BST
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A minor motoring offence quickly escalated into a more serious matter in Leigh.

Officers first spotted a driver committing what was described as a "minor moving traffic offence" in Manchester Road yesterday (Tuesday).

The vehicle was followed and failed to stop with a short pursuit then beginning.

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The vehicle then drove into a dead end on Meanly Road where a chase on foot then followed, with the driver being detained a short time later.

The vehicle was found to be displaying false plates, with it in fact being a stolen van from Bolton last week.

The driver has been arrested for theft of motor vehicle, dangerous driving, fail to stop and no insurance and was placed in custody to be interviewed.

GMP Wigan West posted about the incident on its Facebook page, saying: “Officers spotted the vehicle on Manchester Road, Leigh, with the driver committing a minor moving traffic offence. The vehicle was followed and failed to stop with a short pursuit then beginning.”