Children ‘steal’ police car and reverse at speed after officer runs after suspect

The police car lurches down the road in reverse and almost hits a lamppost (Picture:TikTok/jonnymag4)

Police in Rochdale suffered embarrassment over the weekend after a gang of local kids stole an officer’s car and took it on a chaotic joyride down the street.

A video shared on TikTok on Sunday captures the reckless scene, in which a police BMW 4×4 can be seen reversing along the pavement with its blue lights on, before backing into a side street and bouncing off the curb and back onto the road.

Neighbours and passers-by can be seen watching in amazement as the car backs down a street and narrowly misses a lamppost, while loud laughing is heard in the background.

The footage, captured in Kirkholt, Rochdale, was captioned ‘Local kids steal a police car.’

In a statement on Monday, Greater Manchester Police confirmed the force was aware of the incident and that a suspect may have been identified.

However, they declined to reveal the age of the suspect or how many people were involved in the incident.

A GMP spokesperson said: ‘We’re aware of a video being shared online of a police car being driven dangerously in Kirkholt over the weekend.

‘This happened after an officer left the car to bravely detain a 28-year-old man in a nearby shop following a pursuit. Someone decided to get into the car and behave in this unacceptable manner and now believe we have identified them for further action.’

Neighbours can be heard laughing while the car shoots off down the street (Picture: TikTok / jonnymag4)

The 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, and driving with no licence and no insurance, the Manchester Evening News reported.

They were also arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article, assault of an emergency worker, criminal damage and breach of a court order. 

The police car was recovered close to the scene a short time later, the force said.

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