Nottinghamshire police chase video shows dangerous driver on wrong side of road

A dramatic police pursuit has been caught on camera. Dashcam and bodycam footage shows a black Ford Focus driving at speeds of over 80mph, forcing motorists to take evasive action to avoid collision.

The car was spotted by roads policing team officers on Tuesday, October 15, as it allegedly displayed false registration plates on the A631. It was travelling from Gainsborough in Lincolnshire into Nottinghamshire.

The driver was travelling at speed and overtaking other motorists, according to the police, who formed a tactical plan as they followed the car, which was headed towards Bawtry. The driver also allegedly turned left through a red light and tactical resources started heading towards the location.

Driving away from Bawtry, the driver continued to overtake other members of the public and drove on the wrong side of the road head-on towards oncoming traffic. This forced the other motorists to swerve to avoid collision.

The Ford then collided with a member of the public's car, causing minor damage. Tactical contact was then made with the car by police officers just over Scaftworth Hill on the approach towards the village of Everton, which then resulted in the end of the pursuit.

Neighbourhood inspector Rob Harrison said: "Serious acquisitive crimes strike at the very heart of how safe people feel in their own homes or communities. We know the devastating impact these sorts of crimes can have on people in Bassetlaw and that’s why we continue to treat these kinds of offences so seriously.

"Increased patrols and tactics used by our roads policing unit and road crime team have meant we’ve been able to pursue more vehicles suspected to be involved in criminality. It has also enabled officers to be in the right places at the right times to prevent and detect crime, as well as carrying out effective enforcement operations which remain ongoing."

Insp Harrison added: "I want to reassure our residents that we will do everything we can to disrupt, catch, and ultimately lock up individuals who are committing these serious offences. To help us achieve our goals I want the community to continue to tell us about the issues which are causing them most concern and to have the confidence to report information to us so that we can take appropriate action."

PC Haddon Smith, of the roads policing team, added: "Our number one priority is to keep people safe. As highlighted in this instance, we will not tolerate people who break the law by driving vehicles in a dangerous manner that puts themselves and other road users and members of the public at risk of serious injury or death.

"We remain committed each and every day to doing all we can to make our roads safe and reducing the number of people who are killed and seriously injured on our roads."

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop, going equipped for theft, driving without insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. He was subsequently released on conditional bail in relation to the incident.