Four arrested after wrong-way motorway chase

The men from Wolverhampton and Walsall were arrested shortly after 9pm on Sunday following a police chase.

Officers from Central Motorway Police Group spotted the blue Ford Fiesta Zetec driving on the Black Country Road A454 near Bilston.

At several points the car travelled the wrong way down major roads including the M5 and the M6 and sped through red lights and across junctions.

Police pursued the car, which they believed to have previously been from a supermarket car park, and tried to bring it to a stop using specialist tactics.

But the car rammed into the police vehicles before it continued onto the wrong side of a dual carriageway and u-turning at junction nine M6 where a police stinger was deployed.

The Fiesta came to a stop on Wednesbury Road where two men jumped out and ran off – but the pair were tracked by a police helicopter.

The 38-year-old driver and a 17-year-old from Wolverhampton were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and burglary.

As the incident unfolded officers became aware of a second stolen Ford Fiesta, travelling slowly in the vicinity, seemingly looking for the occupants of the first car.

Officers were rammed as they boxed the white coloured car in on Wednesbury Road – but no officers were injured and the two occupants were also detained.

The driver, a 24-year-old man of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, and possession of a Class A drug.

A 45-year-old male passenger, from Walsall, was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, burglary and possession of an offensive weapon.

All four remained in police custody yesterday (MON) afternoon and were due to be questioned by officers in connection with a number of crimes.

Inspector Steve Radford said: “The arrests were conducted by officers working as part of an on-going intelligence led operation aimed at targeting car criminals operating in the West Midlands.

“It is another really fantastic example of our officers acting quickly to respond to information about people who are using the Midlands motorway network to commit crime.

“Crime has no place in our communities and the motorways are no different. We will always act on information where possible, to bring offenders to justice and prevent further crime.

“Our message to car criminals is clear – we will find you, we will arrest you and we will prosecute you.”