HAMSTEAD POLICE VEHICLE INVOLVED IN COLLISION FOLLOWING HIGH-SPEED PURSUIT

A marked Hamstead Police Service vehicle has been written off following a high-speed pursuit through the borough this morning, ending in a serious collision near Kingsleigh Road. The incident began shortly after 9:40am, when officers attempted to stop a grey saloon suspected to be linked to a string of burglaries in South Hamstead. The driver reportedly failed to stop. Hamstead Police confirmed the pursuit lasted approximately 12 minutes before the police vehicle lost control while attempting a tactical interception near the Kingsleigh. The unit struck a path and mounted a nearby fence before coming to rest against a bollard. Two officers sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene by Hamstead Medical Services. Both have since been discharged from hospital and are recovering at home. The suspect vehicle was later found abandoned in the Riverton Estate. Officers conducted a foot search with DSU support and detained a 27-year-old male matching the driver’s description. He is currently in custody on suspicion of failing to stop, reckless endangerment, and aggravated vehicle theft. Chief Superintendent Helen Drayton released a statement earlier this morning:    “Our officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public, and it’s fortunate their injuries were not more serious. A full internal review of the pursuit and resulting crash is now underway.” The damaged vehicle has been removed from the scene and is undergoing forensic and mechanical analysis. Residents in the Kingsleigh area reported hearing “loud bangs” and sirens shortly before 10am. One local told the Hamstead Gazette, “It was chaos — all I saw was flashing lights and then this huge smash. We ran outside and saw the police car wrecked.” Hamstead Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has dashcam footage from the area to come forward as the investigation continues.