Police pursue stolen vehicle from Steyning into Hampshire

Five members of a family were taken to hospital after their car collided with the pursued vehicle being driven at high speed the wrong way along the A27.

A black Volkswagen Passat had been stolen just after 8pm from a Steyning sports centre, and was soon after spotted and pursued by Sussex Police.

But the Passat’s driving became so dangerous they had to call off the pursuit just before Chichester.

Colleagues from Hampshire Roads Policing Unit were alerted and the road was closed as the vehicle started travelling west along the eastbound carriageway from Chichester heading towards Emsworth.

The vehicle eventually stopped at 8.40pm at the Emsworth turn-off and collided with a black Volkswagen Golf carrying the family.

The occupants of the stolen vehicle fled the scene but one was eventually arrested. The other is still at large.

Firefighters from Cosham and Havant had to cut off the roof of the Golf to free the family and they were taken to hospital by waiting paramedics. They suffered minor injuries.

Superintendent Di Roskilly, from Sussex Police, said: ‘Thankfully, nobody was seriously injured in this incident, but many people witnessed this car driving extremely dangerously and at high speeds along a busy road and on occasions on the wrong side of the road.

‘We have arrested one man but suspects are still being sought. Anyone with information or anyone who witnessed about this incident is asked to contact police on 101 quoting serial 1434 of 8/6.’