Officer injured as car thieves ram police car in Leeds

The officer was with colleagues who had been called to investigate after staff at Leeds City Council’s CCTV control room spotted the stolen black Audi A3 speeding around Chapeltown, Little London and Hyde Park in the early hours of Saturday.

Detective Inspector Philip Jackson, from Leeds District CID, said: “Local officers and colleagues from specialist teams responded as the stolen car was tracked on CCTV. They were directed to the stolen car which they found on Brudenell Road at 6.24am.

“As officers sought to arrest the occupants, the stolen car set off again, ramming two police vehicles.

“Officers followed the stolen car into nearby Chestnut Avenue before it collided with one parked car which was pushed into two more, damaging all three.”

The suspects ran off but were arrested nearby on suspicion of vehicle theft and driving dangerously.

One of the officers was slightly injured but managed to complete his shift.

Det Insp Jackson added: “This incident shows the determination and courage of the police working with their partners, in this case Leeds City Council, to use all the technology and resources we have available to pursue offenders, even when they behave in an irresponsible or dangerous manner.”