Crack Northamptonshire Police squad track down getaway car in 130mph chase on M1

Police were involved in a dramatic 130mph pursuit chasing an Audi A4 through Northamptonshire in the early hours of the morning.

Officers from Wootton Hall's crack Armed Response Vehicle team were alerted to a black Audi on the A43 which was wanted following an attempted robbery in Dorset.

The Audi sped up the M1 and onto the M6 pursued by vehicles from four forces and a police helicopter before the getaway car was halted by a 'stinger' in what police called "a fantastic team effort."

Officers from West Midlands, Warwickshire and Leicestershire police forces joined in the chase.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesman said: "A vehicle of interest, a black Audi A4, was sighted on the A43 at about 1am on Monday morning.

"It joined the M1 northbound but failed to stop for police and made off at speed with the pursuit continuing up the M1 onto the M6, into Warwickshire’s area.

"Eventually the pursuit came to an end safely with stinging and tactical contact."

The getaway started following an attempted robbery at a local convenience store in Bournemouth at around 9.15pm on Sunday.

A spokesman for Dorset Police revealed: "We received a report that two men had entered the store and a member of staff was threatened before the men attempted to get behind the counter. They were unable to get behind the counter and left the shop.

"The men were reportedly seen to get into a white Ford Transit van.

"Around the same time a collision was reported involving a white Ford Transit van and two men had got out of the van and into a black Audi A4, which then made off from the scene.

"Following enquiries, the Audi was reportedly seen by officers on the M1 in Northamptonshire. It subsequently travelled into the Warwickshire area before being stopped off the M6 in Leicestershire."

The Audi crashed into the central barrier on the M6 after police used a 'stinger' to deflate the vehicle's tyres.

Two men were arrested in Warwickshire on suspicion of attempted robbery and are assisting officers with their enquiries. A third man was later arrested in Bournemouth on suspicion of attempted robbery.

An officer from Leicestershire's Roads Policing Unit also tweeted about the incident, saying: "Fantastic team work resulted in two arrests after a 30-plus mile pursuit up the M1, A46 and M6 at speeds of up to 130mph."