Police vehicle rams fleeing car following pursuit

An unmarked police car drove into the side of a BMW in Autumn Close in Ferndown

Police have rammed a cloned vehicle in a residential cul-de-sac following a pursuit and arrested the driver.

Officers from Dorset Police's tactical firearms unit and the Dorset roads policing team gave chase to the BMW on the A35 at Tolpuddle, Dorset, on Sunday morning.

The vehicle failed to stop, leading to a continued pursuit along the A31 before it was driven around Ameysford Road residential area in Ferndown and entered Autumn Close.

As the driver tried to evade capture again, an unmarked police car drove into its side, said the roads policing team.

The male driver was arrested for a number of serious driving offences and taken into custody.

The roads policing team said: "Whilst some may question if it's necessary for deliberate damage to be caused to a police vehicle, public safety in pursuits is paramount and was deemed proportionate to bring the pursuit to a safe conclusion."

There were no injuries to officers as a result of the "tactical contact", while the driver received "minor abrasions", it added.

The driver was arrested for a number of serious driving offences, said police

During the pursuit, police attempted to use a stinger to puncture the tyres of the BMW on the A31 near Canford Bottom.

The attempt was unsuccessful, said the roads policing team, adding: "Apologies to the member of public stung - new tyres will be provided."

Car cloning involves people stealing or copying another car's registration plates, often choosing plates from a similar looking vehicle.