Suspect saved from bog after stolen moped recovered

The police baton has many uses!

The chief constable was in Bishop Auckland yesterday when two balaclava-clad suspects were seen riding a scooter through the market place.

Neighbourhood Policing Team officer, James Sewell, alerted colleagues from the force’s Roads and Armed Policing Motorbike Unit who swiftly tracked the suspects down with the help of the police helicopter to some boggy fields after the trio dumped the bike and tried to flee.

Two of the suspects were chased down while the third – who tried to escape through a bog despite not being able to swim – had to be rescued by an officers extending his baton for him to grab hold of.

A man and two teenage boys were swiftly arrested on suspicion of theft of motor vehicle, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and drug driving.

They were taken into custody where they remain today.

The scooter, which had been reported stolen from Bishop Auckland, was recovered and will be returned to its rightful owner.