18/06/2010

Ashes To Ashes-style 'Hot Pursuit'

Police work was a blast from the past earlier this month when a vintage police car took to the streets in 'hot pursuit' of suspects.

Although not an Audi Quattro - as used in the retro-TV series, Ashes to Ashes - but another vintage police vehicle instead, officers used their initiative to catch suspected burglars.

It wasn't Gene Hunt either - the no-nonsense, hard-nosed police officer from the programme - taking charge, but 'on-the-ball' modern-day officers instead.

In preparation for the annual community event at RAF Northolt, three police vintage vehicles were being arranged for transfer to the base when officers received a call for assistance from colleagues nearby.

The call was initiated by Ruislip Manor Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) PCSOs Nial Hayes, Chris Barton and Benson Nastor who had one man detained and reported that the other two suspects had fled the scene.

PS Neil Roberts, of South Ruislip SNT made a decision to act promptly in order to respond to the needs of the public and drove the Rover SD1, a fully serviceable 26-year-old police vintage vehicle, to the scene accompanied by PC Dave Butler and PC Ian Scott.

A suspect was detained in Sidmouth Drive and the other two suspects were located nearby using the vintage vehicle and arrested in Torrington Road Ruislip.

The three vintage police cars which were being prepared for transfer were a 1968 Jaguar Area Car, 1965 Wolseley a Finchley Traffic Car and 1984 Rover SD1.

All three vintage cars are owned and have been restored by Ruislip Manor SNT officer PC David Butler.

The 1984 Rover SD1 was subject to a police camera action film in 1987 when it was used to film a mercy dash to deliver a Donor Liver from Stansted Airport to the Cromwell Hospital in West London which saved the life of the recipient.

PC David Butler said: "I am pleased that this vehicle was able to serve the police and the public to apprehend three suspects who were fleeing from police."

Borough Commander DCS Julian Worker said: "This was a vehicle being ferried to a community event in Hillingdon Borough. It is completely street legal. The diligent officers concerned were monitoring their radios and responded to an emergency call. They arrived on scene first and were able to arrest three suspects.

"As ever, I remain immensely proud of my officers particularly when they use their initiative as on this occasion.

"The Met is also proud of the car for its mercy dash in 1987. The drive was unusually captured on video and illustrates the skill and level of expertise of Metropolitan Police drivers."

Three men aged 18,19 & 20 were arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary and bailed to return at a later date.

(BMcC/GK)

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