Moment stolen van hurtles the wrong way down the A13 in high-speed police chase through Kent, Essex and London before driver is arrested
- The white Ford van seen driving on the hard shoulder against oncoming traffic
- A HGV driver captured the moment while travelling on the other side of the road
- Kent Police confirmed they had caught up with male driver in Rainham, Essex
This is the moment a van hurtles the wrong way down the A13 in a high-speed police chase before the driver is arrested in possession of ‘suspected ill-gotten cash’.
The white Ford van is seen driving on the hard shoulder at speed against oncoming traffic during the chase from the Dartford Tunnel to Rainham, Essex, on December 3.
Officers later arrested a 22-year-old man from the London area on suspicion of offences including money laundering, vehicle theft and possessing a class A drug.
The white Ford van is seen driving on the hard shoulder at speed against oncoming traffic during a police chase from the Dartford Tunnel to Rainham, Essex, on December 3
An HGV driver captured the dramatic moment while travelling on the other side of the dual carriageway after a police helicopter was deployed and followed the van.
The footage follows the van for one minute and 23 seconds as it heads along the wrong side of the A13 before driving through the traffic cones.
Kent Police said the chase started when officers tried to stop the van near the Dartford Tunnel, which is around eight miles from Rainham.
A Kent Police spokeswoman said: ‘Officers attempted to stop a vehicle near to the Dartford Tunnel on the A2 at around 11.38am on Thursday, 3 December 2020.
‘The car failed to stop and travelled on to Essex. With the assistance of neighbouring forces and the police helicopter the vehicle was stopped in Rainham, Essex.
Kent Police confirmed they had caught up to the driver in Rainham and was bailed following charges for seven offences
The footage follows the van for one minute and 23 seconds as it drives at speed against a stream of oncoming traffic and continues along the hard shoulder on the A13
‘A 22-year-old man from the London area was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, dangerous driving, money laundering, driving whilst disqualified, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of class A drugs and driving without insurance.
‘He has been released on police bail whilst enquiries continue.’
Kent Police Tactical Operations tweeted: ‘A male has now been bailed pending CPS charges for 7 offences after taking us on a high risk pursuit in a stolen van, in possession of a large amount of suspected ill gotten cash through #Kent #Essex & #London on Thursday. Including going the WRONG WAY down the #A13.’
The white Ford van in the police chase (left). Kent Police Tactical Operations tweeted a picture of cash (right)
Kent Police Tactical Operations tweeted: ‘A male has now been bailed pending CPS charges for 7 offences after taking us on a high risk pursuit in a stolen van’
‘Right place right time for us earlier,’ tweeted The National Police Air Service London and South East Region, ‘@kentpoliceroads pursuit in the DRC tunnel.
‘The driver didn’t expect to see us as he emerged! SURPRISE!! Into Essex Police and Met Police then after going wrong way down the A13 decamped and gave up. Nowhere to hide.’
Kent Police Roads tweeted: ‘Driver arrested after a pursuit from Dartford into Essex via the #DartfordTunnel concluded after the vehicle sped down the wrong side of the carriageway on the A13.
‘Driver arrested by Tac Ops units in @Rainham with the assistance of @NpasRedhill @kentpoliceroads @KPTacOps GS.’
‘Right place right time for us earlier,’ tweeted The National Police Air Service London and South East Region Kent Police Roads pursuit in the DRC tunnel