A man has been arrested after a stolen van crashed into barriers at Charles Cross Roundabout following a police pursuit across Plymouth yesterday.
The dramatic collision was captured on camera as the white van slammed into a car before crashing through fencing near Charles Church, with homeless people sleeping inside the church just metres away.
Devon and Cornwall Police say it was part of a fast moving operation to stop the vehicle after reports of multiple hit and run incidents across the city.
Watch the moment it happened:
Officers were first called at 3.20pm on Thursday 16 October after a delivery driver reported their van stolen in Union Street while dropping off parcels.
A short while later, 999 calls came in about three separate collisions involving a white van and other vehicles in Outland Road, Western Approach, and Looseleigh Lane, as well as erratic driving in Honicknowle.
Thankfully, no one was injured in those earlier incidents. Police quickly set up stinger sites across the city in a bid to bring the vehicle to a safe stop.
The van was later spotted in Cattedown and Laira before heading towards Exeter Street, travelling through red lights, mounting pavements and reaching dangerous speeds.
At around 4.55pm, the van hit a car and then crashed into the barrier at Charles Cross Roundabout, causing significant damage to fencing and traffic lights.
A man in his 20s from Plymouth has been arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop when directed by police, drink driving, dangerous driving, and possession of a Class A drug.
He suffered minor facial injuries and was taken to Derriford Hospital to be checked over before being taken into custody.
Road closures were put in place around the roundabout and lifted by around 6.30pm once the scene was cleared.
Officers are now appealing for witnesses and anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact police online or by telephone on 101, quoting reference 50250268235.
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