'Stolen' Ford Focus rams police before driving towards oncoming traffic to escape officers
Dramatic dashcam footage shows the moment the driver of a suspected stolen car rammed police officers trying to box them in before making their escape.
Video from a patrol car has been released by Staffordshire Police's Roads Policing Unit, showing the moment the suspect forced oncoming motorists to drive up a verge in order to avoid a head-on crash.
The footage shows a patrol car pulling up alongside a blue Ford Focus as it approaches a queue of traffic at roadworks on Broad Lane at Essington.
The driver of the Focus then hits the police car before mounting the pavement and driving past the line of stationary traffic, before cutting across the front of the queue and speeding towards cars coming the other way at the scene of the roadworks.
Multiple drivers can then be seen trying to get out of the way, mounting the grass verge in a bid to avoid the Ford Focus which ploughs through roadwork barriers, leaving them strewn across the road.
In a post on social media, the Roads Policing Unit said the vehicle was "lost due to the dangerous driving".
Responding to a post, officers added: "We got bulked by all the road cones blocking our path unfortunately."
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said officers attempted to pull the vehicle over at around 7.50pm on Wednesday.
"A blue Ford Focus failed to stop and was pursued into Essington. The Focus, which is believed to have been stolen, was involved in a collision with a police car," they said.
"The driver of the police vehicle was not injured, though the vehicle sustained damage to its front wing and bumper."
Police then said the Focus was involved in a collision with a Fiat Qubo shortly afterwards.
The spokesperson continued: "The driver of the Cubo, a woman in her 20s and the sole occupant, was not injured.
"The Qubo’s wheel arch had sustained minor damage. The Focus left the scene a short time later."
Inquiries are ongoing, and anyone with information should contact Staffordshire Police on on Facebook, Twitter, or call 101, quoting incident number 679 of August, 31.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
