A 23-year-old man has been arrested following a police chase that spanned approximately 17 miles from Kent to London. The incident began Sunday afternoon when Kent Police received reports of a van being stolen from a property in Swanscombe after a window was smashed. The owner of the property is known to the suspect.
Officers located the stolen van several hours later in Swanley, where it failed to stop for police and continued into London. Metropolitan Police officers then took over the pursuit. The chase concluded when officers employed a tactical contact maneuver on Mottingham Road in Bromley, bringing the fleeing vehicle to a controlled stop.
The suspect, identified as a 23-year-old from Swanley, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking, criminal damage, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, and failing to stop for police. He remains in custody as the investigation proceeds.
During the incident, one Metropolitan Police officer sustained an injury to his hand and was taken to a hospital for treatment before being discharged. No other serious injuries were reported.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the van traveling on the wrong side of the road in Swanley during the chase. The scene of the crash on the A20 was marked by numerous police vehicles, with at least eight attending the scene. Crowds gathered to observe the aftermath of the pursuit.
