Suspect saved from bog during police chase

The moped had been reported as stolen to police

A police officer used his baton to rescue a suspect from a bog during a chase over a stolen vehicle.

Two balaclava-clad males were seen riding a moped through the Market Place of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on Wednesday.

They were then tracked down to some boggy fields with the help of a police helicopter.

Three people - a man and two teenage boys - have been arrested by Durham Constabulary on suspicion of the theft of a motor vehicle, driving without insurance and a licence, and drug driving.

The force’s roads and armed policing motorbike unit tracked down the suspects to some boggy fields after being alerted by local neighbourhood officer James Sewell.

Police radar footage of the rescue showed the suspect in a bog

A police spokesperson said: "The trio dumped the bike and tried to flee.

"Two of the suspects were chased down while the third – who tried to escape through a bog despite not being able to swim – had to be rescued by an officer extending his baton for him to grab hold of."

Police confirmed the three people were arrested and taken into custody.

The black-and-yellow moped, which had been reported stolen from Bishop Auckland, was recovered and will be returned to its legal owner.