Men arrested after dramatic police chase in Mansfield

Nottinghamshire Police were called to the Portland Retail Park, Mansfield shortly after 1pm after a large amount of clothing was stolen.

A car then fled from the scene at high speed, narrowly missing a member of the public who tried to stop it.

The car was then tracked on CCTV making its way through town towards Chesterfield Road South.

Hearing the incident unfolding on his radio, a nearby PCSO stopped the traffic to slow the vehicle's escape and allow additional officers to catch up - narrowly avoiding being hit himself as the car attempted to escape the jam.

Recounting the incident, PCSO Stephen Shaw said: "It was quite a swift and unexpected turn of events to say the least.

"We were in Mansfield Town Centre with something completely unrelated and we were asked to direct traffic.

"I heard over the radio there was an incident close by and that someone had gotten away in a car.

"I was at the bottom of Chesterfield Road and it just so happened that the car in question was second in the queue as I was stopping them, so everything happened quite quickly.

"I was in the middle of the road directing and I saw it begin to maneuver. My instinct was reinforcing the traffic direction and trying to stop the car.

"I definitely thought that people, including myself, were going to be injured.

"The result shows the great team effort and the importance of coordination from everyone involved, with police control monitoring the situation throughout and also with council wardens and other members of the public who helped out. It definitely gives a sense of reassurance and achievement for all of us."

Both men were arrested on suspicion of offences including theft, dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving without insurance or a licence.

Inspector Nick Butler, district commander for Mansfield, said: “This was a great bit of police work by everyone involved – from the CCTV operator who remained so calm under pressure to the quick-thinking PCSO who did everything he could on foot to slow the getaway vehicle.”