High-speed chase through Northampton ends with man arrested over assault

Police used a 'stinger' to halt a high-speed chase through Northampton and arrest a man suspected of assault.

Officers spotted the 33-year-old driving towards Weston Favell in the east of the town.

They followed the black Vauxhall Astra into Northampton before calling for back up from the crack police Armed Response Vehicle unit, who brought out the 'stinger' as the chase headed along Wellingborough Road at around 4.30pm on Wednesday (June 10).

Officers arrested the driver on suspicion of failing to stop for police and of assaulting a woman in Glebeland Road, Dallington, on June 9.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: "The man in question was suspected to be in a black Astra spotted in Wellingborough Road at the junction with Cherry Lodge Road heading in the general direction of Weston Favell. This was at about 4pm on Wednesday.

"The Astra was stopped in Greenway after a short pursuit and a 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for police and of assault."

'Stingers' are retractable spike strips — officially known as tyre deflation devices — designed to puncture tyres of oncoming vehicles when they are thrown into its path by an officer from the side of the road. They quickly snap back out of the way before following police cars drive through.

Northamptonshire Police increased the number of vehicles equipped with 'stingers' from six to 15 last October.

They are designed to gradually deflate tyres making it significantly more difficult for a motorist evading police to continue driving.

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