One Thing Leads to Another Traffic Cops

Tonight, Bedfordshire traffic cops are cracking down on bad drivers.

I'm going to stop it. Wrong side of the road. How many years have you

been driving? Not long. With all due respect, it shows. Someone

didn't make it. On the motorway, down country lanes, and even in car

parks. Because when bad drivers get behind the wheel. All too often bad

things happen. We respond to crashes, they take

uninsured cars off the road, we watch speeders. They see us as

persecuting motorist, what we are Being traffic cop isn't just a job

for the boys. Even though for PC Sam Sparkes, it does sometimes feel

that way. It is a very much male orientated world. Even now, there

is only three of us, there is only three females on traffic. Sam was

once a professional dancer, more used to carrying out pirouettes

than pursuits. These days she dances to a different beat.

trained in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, it is not a natural

progression, it couldn't have been a bad decision, because I'm still

doing it 16 years later. She swapped her dancing shoes for

driving shoes. And is now on her way to a serious road traffic

accident. All we know is it is one vehicle, four person, possibly

trapped, and fire on rig. Your automatic thought is first,

how many people are injured, and second, how many people have we got

going. It took me about five to seven

minutes to get there, it is in a country road, it is quite bendy.

It looks like complete carnage when you turn up, you have to get right

to the front to see what you actually have got. On screen

already to help her get a bigger picture, is another of the trio of

traffic women, Shona's best mate, Shona Gillan. It is nice to have

somebody else at the scene to help you, especially when there is so

much going on. It did look pretty bad, everyone was pushing around,

that is a seen they need to get him out pretty quick. The paramedic

says we have possibly life changing injuries to this male. Four young

friends were in the car when it scratched spectacularly. A local

nurse was the first to come across the wreckage. I am IRA a community

nurse coming home from - I'm a community nurse coming home from

dinner, there was a bystander who has disappeared. The lady was

shocked, but she the forethought to make the call to the emergency

services. It had gone into a concrete post and a tree and spun

across both lanes. One of the survivor, incredibly, is completely

unhurt. How old is he? 18. Does he have a license? Yes. You were a

front passenger? Yeah. We were just going 60, maybe, and as we came

round the corner up there felt the back go, he tried to correct it, as

he tried to correct it just went to the other side and tried to go back

again and it spun straight out at that point I was already trying to

shield myself from the crash. race against time to free the

trapped driver. Serious head injuries, and he is deteriorating

quickly because of internal bleeding. Good call. The accident

is serious enough to call in the Air Ambulance and specialist crash

scene investigators. The passengers appeared to have cuts and bruises,

until they are taken out and assessed, they could be serious.

are told the driver has life- changing injuries, they are

querying an internal bleed because he has deteriorated quickly. He was

trapped by his leg. When a paramedic says it is going to be

life threatening and life-change, you think the worst, and you think

he has a relative I will have to break the news to. New drivers

between the ages of 17-24, are by far the most at risk of being

killed on Britain's roads. Fortunately, now that the trapped

driver has been freed, it has become apparent that his life is no

longer in danger. I believe he had some sort of head

injury, he had lost consciousness, it could have been the angle of how

he was in the car. That was our main concern. Once they got him out

and assessed him, it was clear the injuries weren't as bad as they

first thought. That means no special helicopter treatment. He

will be taking the ambulance. The emergency services can be stood

down. Now that the driver is not as badly injured as first thought,

he's got some explaining do. Have you got a provisional? No, nothing

at all. I went into the back of the ambulance and explained who I was,

and asked if he would like me to notify somebody. At that point he

told me had no driving license or insurance.

It is a bombshell. No insurance, no license. I have run him through the

Police National Computer, it has transpired he hasn't got MOT or tax,

he has nothing. What sympathy Sam might have had for the driver has

flown swiftly away. Breaking the news to his parents is

going to be even more tricky now. Initially it was quite serious, the

reason I'm ringing you is it isn't believed to be serious now, I

wouldn't tell you over the phone. I just warranted to make you aware,

if you were expecting him, I would hate for you to panic if he didn't

turn up. I spoke to his mum on the phone, she sounded satisfied he

should be behind the wheel of car. That concerned me. I can remember

saying at the time saying to Tony it didn't fit right that she didn't

seemed surprised she was driving. It wasn't until I got to the

hospital I realised why. He has committed very serious offence,

potentially he could have killed all his passengers, including

himself. The task now is to find out exactly why the uninsured and

unlicensed driver lost control of his car. It was a Vauxhall Omeaga,

2.5, petrol, it is a powerful one. Rear wheel drive, so not the best

sort of car to drive as an inexperienced driver. There is not

a lot there to lose control of, is there.

Apart from inexperience, another factor could be a space saver spare

tyre on the back of the Omeaga. I have recovery for what is left of

this car. It is now a convertible and doorless. Manufacturers give

specifications for that tyre to be used on the road, that is not more

than 50 mile an hour. To be changed at the nearest opportunity, not to

be used all the time. So driving at speed, on a country road, with a

space save tyre is just asking for trouble. Luck, that is the only

reason why no-one was killed in this case. You have seen the

wreckage of the car. We have seen a lot less where people have died.

It is time for Sam to get hard facts from the illegal driver and

his passengers at the hospital. as parent would expect the police

to do as much as they could to prosecute that person. I personally

feel as I parent I would want to kill him! Whilst they account for

only 12% of all drivers, young drivers make up 27% of all the road

fatalities. And of these, three quarters are male.

The driver, it turns out, has got a bad back injury. Your mum is aware,

I have given her a call, she's on her way down. Oh no, that means I

have to see her. I need to get some details off you, I think you and I

both know we need to have a chat. You needing to away. She doesn't

know, does she?, she's going to have to find out.

I will tell her. You may not have that option, I'm going to need to

speak to her as well. I need to speak to all of them. I was very

unsympathetic because I was angry. That could be my children in a few

years time, going out unwittingly with a friend. I don't think he

realised at the time what he could have done. They are going to find

out the situation, because they have to, and they have a right to

know. You have got to be ware that the parents are going to go meantal.

They have a right to know that he wasn't the driver he thought he was.

I don't know if you are aware, he hasn't got a driving license or

insurance. The driver not having a license has come as a complete

shock to his friends. He doesn't have a driving license. Does he not

have a license. Nope. He hasn't passed or he has? Did you know that.

No, because we got stopped. He's saying he hasn't. The same four

people and the vehicle were tropd stopped with him driving. They have

been stopped and dealt with and sent on their way accordingly, they

would have no indication that there was something untoward. I wish he

had told me, I'm quite disappointed in him, to be honest. The biggest

shock of all is he took his mum for a ride. I spoke to his mum and she

didn't sound surprised, it transpires six to eight months ago

he has left the house, after telling his mum he has taken his

driving test. Two hours later, has come home full of the Joyce of

spring saying he has passed. He has never taken his test or had a

driving lesson. She realised he has just been living a lie and driving

her and her sister and friends around for the last eight months.

In the control room news of another accident is coming in, in Bedford

town centre, involving a motorist and cyclist. Paramedics are already

there, they need help from their traffic cop colleagues. Shona is on

her way. The ambulance have called to us say

the car that hit the pushbike is still at the skeernings and maybe

possibly blocking the road. - the scene, and may be possibly blocking

the road. You hear they have head injuries, you hear of a cyclist hit

by car with a head injure, if he hasn't a helmet on we could have a

serious injurey. When I got there I saw a pushbike looking sorry for

itself. There is no sign of the cyclist. This lady was cycling

along and he has hit her bonnet, and he has a cut on the side of his

face or back of the head. And left his bike there. The lady that had

hit the bike was in a severe state of shock. Talk me through what

happened, my love? I have just gone past this van, and then he just

came out on me, on my bonnet, landed on the floor. I wasn't going

fast, I couldn't even find a brake. She never had an accident in her

life, the only time she realised something had happened is as soon

as she hit the lad on the bike. Because you have been involved in a

road traffic collision, we ask everyone to provide a sample of

breath. She was asked to supply a sample of breath, even though she

hadn't had any alcohol. That came back negative. A neighbour seems to

know what is going on. I spoke to him, I have said to them the police

will be here, they were going to try to get here while you are there.

While Shona is waiting for the cyclist, something else has caught

her eye, or rather her ear. I heard somebody riding their clutch, and

it sounded awful. A passerby is blowing the whistle on the car and

the occupants. Can I report something. The people who have gone

up there in the Redcar, they are all businessed. They might kill

someone. They have just gone up there.

Can you have a wander down and see the index number. As the community

support officer checks up on the road as it goes past. A young man

turns up looking for his pushbike. He came back with a lovely white T-

shirt and he looked fine, didn't look like he was hit by the car.

Apart from a graze on the side of his fashion he's in better shape

than the car driver. It's all right now, I'm fine. I will get your

details, I have to record it as an injury accident, that will be how

it will be dealt with. It was my fault. You can sign the paperwork

to see that. Do you want the ambulance. The PCSO has found the

car with the dodgy clutch. Can you wait here for two minutes. I have

to go and check something. She's in need of urgent help outside the sal

racial army. Just as the PCSO had gone to the top of the road the car

had parked up, I heard her say I need more units.

The registration is coming back as stolen. Oh for heaven's sake, can

you get it there. Shona has a reputation for being a woman who

loves to get stuck in. Even she knows when some situations can be a

little risky. I felt it had potential to escalate into

something that could have become intimidating, which is why I asked

for more unit, there is no, as me being single crewed, I could have

dealt with four very drunk people. Let me just have chat i need your

name, my lovely. Yeah, yeah, yeah, just come over

here. Shona is also known for her composure. You can't grab hold of

all four of them and say you are all under arrest. I have played it

down, and sort of come across as being really friendly, got the

driver over, spoke to him. What is your name? I wasn't driving the car.

Any way. I can't drive. Not a problem. I still need to know what

your name is. Simon Ellerington. tried to distance himself from

anything to do with the car. car has come back as stolen, and

Shona is pretty sure the driver is over the limit as well. It is

crucial no-one disappears. Has one of you got any tube, one of

high tueings are up in the traffic car. You have seen him driving the

motor vehicle. I saw him get out of the driver's side. I saw him as he

went outside. Can you hold on to that for me. As

long as they believed it was just him in trouble and they were all OK.

They seemed quite happy to hang around. All four are coming in.

we getting nicked, for sitting at the back of a scene, that is stupid.

I'm not even drunk. Simon can I have a word with you over here for

a minute. It is his car, not our car.

Simon, listen to me, when you went past the traffic car, and the

accident that was down the road, I saw you driving that motor vehicle,

and the reason that draw my attention to you, to know you were

in had the driver's seat of the vehicle, is because you were riding

the clutch. Blowing under will be his only hope of salvation? Right,

OK. Over? My road side device has shown you have blown me 102 which

is a lot of alcohol. That is your's. It is nearly three times the legal

limit, the man is going to be arrested. I don't do handcuffing

like. That you are under arrest for suspicion of driving a motor

vehicle over the subscribed limit, on top of that on suspicion of left

of a motor vehicle. What do you mean of theft? You do not have to

say anything, it may harm your defence. Drinking and theft of a

motor vehicle. Come over here, does anybody else

want an arrest. How can you say I was driving. You are under

suspicion of being carried in a stolen vehicle. How could you say

that was stolen. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.

is that a stolen motor vehicle. is 102 as well.

Any more spare cuffs on them, please? All four were arrested.

Check my boobs if you want. She was very drunk, very loud, rude. She's

in a stolen car, the person who is driving it is her boyfriend, he's

three-times over the limit. If he hit a car and she died, the closest

place would be the mortuary. Back down the road at the scene of the

cycle accident, Shona's colleague, PC Baroness Bakewell is picking up

the pieces. Look at the dent. blue van came down the road, and I

understated it. With Shona, guarantee it will happen to her,

she goes out of the station and then stolen car and drink drivers

and an accident. It is just a case here of making sure everybody's

details are exchanged. It is not down to me, and it is down to the

insurance. I underestimated it, I was coming down there, I chanced it,

I chance my whole life. I just remember him hitting the car, and

then she went over the bonnet. the end of the day metal gets fixed,

people don't always. Both people came out of it fine.

Watch your language. Listen to me, using language like that is a

public order offence, you are already in enough trouble. Why I

haven't done nothing wrong. Don't start digging yourself a whole.

They are all arrested because they are in car reported as being stolen.

Because we didn't know when the vehicle was stolen, we certainly

didn't know if they were involved in the theft sem selves any way.

Theft themselves any way. # I got locked up

# They won't let me out Can you just sit back, please.

Thank you. I am. I was in the back of a car, and yes,

I'm getting this for what. Where are we going? We are going to

Bedford Police Station where you will be transported for Dunstable.

How do I get back from there? you have shoes on? Then you can

walk. When one thing leads to another, it

is not always by accident, it is sometimes by design.

When the traffic cops break down on motorists breaking the Highway Code,

it is not always just about road safety. A lot of the time smaller

things do lead to bigger things. A lot of the time people haven't got

respect. The worst possible place to show disrespect for the law, is

when there is a cop car right on your tail. No seatbelt. Beautiful,

first one of the evening. driver didn't have a seatbelt, we

followed her into a parade of shops and pulled up in the car park.

Hello there. Any reason why we have followed you into the car park.

Seatbelt? Where was it? I didn't have it on. No you didn't. Why not?

I don't know, sorry. A lot of people what's a seatbelt, it is not

a problem. If that person wants to die without a seatbelt that is not

a problem. That is not the case. Not having a seatbelt can kill a

lot of people. There is a lot of implications from not wearing it, I

take it very seriously. Sit in the car for a few minutes and we will

sort it out for you. The reason we pulled you over with

regards to the seatbelt a lot of people are dying, injured because

they are not wearing suit belts. Seemed an ordinary, average lady,

going to collect a curry. Some people choose not to wear it, some

people genuinely forget. I always put my seatbelt on. The one time

you don't. I don't think she knew knew why she didn't wear it. Have

you any points on your license? got done for drink-driving.

have had no alcohol today have you? I don't think she knew about the

traffic car behind her, she was more concerned with pick up the

curry. That doesn't provide an exemption from wearing a seatbelt,

the woman will get a fixed penalty ticket for �60. I'm going to

breathalise you, then we will let you get on your way. If you wish to

protest you can. I have had half a lager today, I must say that.

Please be honest with me. How much have you had to drink today? I just

had a half a lager. Straight away it sets alarm bells ringing, whilst

she was in the car the car started to smell like a brewery. Lips round

the tube, long continual breath, blow, blow, no, you're sucking in,

keep blowing, keep blowing, stop there, that is good. Her reading

came back as 60. The drink-drive limit is 356789 Vivien you have not

been honest with me, I don't like people not honest. You have had

more than half a lager. You failed the breath test, I'm arresting you

for being over the prescribed limit. I think she knew what was coming.

had half a lager ages ago. I won't argue, but half a lager doesn't

give that result. Grab a seat. had more than half a lager and she

knew it. All of us will stop a car for one thing, we will end up

leaving the scene with something completely different. It could have

been any other evening, and she would have just had a seatbelt

ticket. No point crying Vivien t will all

get sorted out. Vivien, although I appreciate you are upset, I am

slightly disappointed because you have done it before. You should

know better. I didn't think I was over. You shouldn't have sat behind

the wheel of a car. I wouldn't have got in the car if I thought that. I

have had my license for 25 years before getting done before, not one

point, not for speeding, not anything. Unfortunately my sympathy

doesn't extend, you shouldn't have got in the car at all, even if it

comes back under, you should learn your lesson. I thought I was all

right. Thinking doesn't do it. don't know that, do I. The easy

answer is don't get in car, if you have drunk alcohol. I'm not drunk,

do I sound drunk. If you have drunk, drunk alcohol, simple way is don't

get in the car. They are crocodile tears. They are tears for her own

situation, she was sorry she had been caught.

At the Police Station in Bedford, the other suspected drink driver is

not showing a lot of remorse. are normally a cool person are you,

are you normally a cool person, other than today? I don't get in

trouble, usually, really. I have got a lovely girlfriend. Your

girlfriend is the young lady that I have arrested? Yes. I suppose

lovely is one way toe describe her. How long have you been with her -

one way to describe her. How long have you been with her? She was

mouthy was she? Yes. Good. Shona is handing her prisoner over to be

tested on an intoxilyser machine. What will I find? A bottle of

methadone is mine. You could tell how drunk he was, he was slurring

his words and his face was bright red. He didn't feel he was drunk,

he didn't feel in any way he had committed any offences. Leave your

top on. I just said you would want my T-shirt. Shona first came up on

the air saying she was at a crash, the next minute I heard that she

was off chasing a vehicle. I couldn't quite work it out. Then

she had four in custody, and, em, it was a Shona job!

Simon, this way, mate. Bit of the Jack the lad, knew it

all. Simon thinks he knows of a way he can beat the machine. Have you

got 2p on you. I can't believe he said he was going to put a 2p coin

in his mouth, it is an old wives tale and it doesn't work. Nice

steady blow. After blowing 102 at the road side, the lower of the two

readings recorded by this machine will be the one used in court. He

has gone down twice a bit, to 71, even without a coin in his mouth,

but he's still well over. The woman taken into custody on the same

charge, drinking and driving, is at Luton Police Station. There you go

Vivien. Just down this way. Have you been to this custody suite

before? I don't know. Got back to custody with her, then Sam took

over the station procedure. You're not going to lock me up are

you? The procedure will show if she's still over, all she needs is

a couple of deep breaths. Come and take a stand up here. What happens

if I refuse? You will be charged. What happens if you are under.

doesn't look like I am. I have only had a pint of lager. You won't go

home until the custody seargeant is happy, don't think by not blowing

you will be walking out the doors. The best bet to get out, is if you

get a reading that is under, you will walk out. I won't do it. Last

time I blew into that machine I was locked in the cell, I was thrown in

the cell, should I say. You have three minutes to do this. If you

want to walk out the doors now, its best bet is blow on it now. Initial

low she said nothing to drink, half a lager then, as the evening

progressed more lager. The more she tried to cover up the bigger hole

she dug for herself. We will run out of time. It is finished now,

because you didn't provide two specimens in the alloted time, you

will be charged with failing to provide a specimen of breath.

Vivien hasn't learned from being drinking and driving before.

could have blown under, and could have walked out. But she played the

system, she tried to stall for time, and she tried to cheat the device

and blow across it. Despite a fall in drink-related deaths in recent

years, the number of drink drives being caught that are repeat

offenders, is, worryingly on the rise.

When they can, Bedfordshire's traffic cops like to take out the

brand new unmarked Vauxhall Vectra VSR. It is strange but true, they

like to imagine it is their own, even down to making sure it is all

nice and clean and shiny. Whenever we have the opportunity I quite

like going out in the plain car. You see a lot more. I'm not saying

we like to speak up on people all the time. But people see a marked

police car from a distance, whatever they are doing they will

put their belt on or mobile phone down, in this you can do a bit of

hiding. It makes our job a little easier. When you pick up the keys

from the locker room you go and go out and see the car, it is nice to

give it a quick wash. One of the things the traffic cops

love to use the car for, is speed enforcement.

Catching speeders when virtually invisible is like shooting fish in

barrel. Today an old hand, PC Keith

Nicholson has got the keys to the investigate tra and is going

fishing. I joined the police - investigate tra, and is going fish

- Vectra, and is going fishing. I joined in 1974. Keith is the oldest

serving frontline serving police officer I have come in contact with,

nothing phases him. He joins traffic a month before I was born.

I take delight in telling him that whenever I can. One of their

favourite places to snare speeding motorists is the Barton Cutting. It

is the one mile stretch of the Luton to Carlyle A6, where some

people really like to put their foot down. We have used unmarked

cars for checking speed for years, ever since I have been on there

they have had unmarked cars. Speed guns have been around just as well.

This one use as built-in laser. just throws out laser beam from the

front, hits a shiny surface like a number plate and bounces back.

88, we can do better than that. are not out to catch those five,

maybe, ten, 15 miles an hour over the speed limit. It is the ones

going to cause accidents and seriously exceeding the speed limit

we are after. After a slow start, and a few tiddleers, they have a

big one. A seriously last Audi TT came aware of the vehicle when I

could hear it, it was going so quickly, I couldn't get a lock on

him with the speed gun. What are you playing at. As he went past us,

I turned to face the direction that he had driven towards, and was able

to get a lock on the rear of his vehicle. And that showed that he

was doing a speed of 116mph. 116. You won't see it again. Rather than

sending a speeding summons in the post, like fixed cameras, when they

use the laser the cops prefer to hand them over personally. That

means some expert rapid catching up is required. Some say his name is

Keith, some say it is really something else! A very, very fast,

very smooth, very safe driver. One of the most respected drivers on

the division, and hence has earned himself the nickname, The Stig.

Andy has caught side of the speeder in the distance. There was a set of

brake lights just past this junction. They are reasonably

distinctive brake lights on an Audi TT. I was confident that was the

same vehicle. Top of the vehicle, can you see it. The Bedfordshire

Stig is in his element. Someone didn't make it!

We were probably quarter of a mile to half a mile behind him. It is

only because of Keith's expert driving, his local knowledge, and

perhaps he didn't have the same motivation that we have got, that

we were able to make up that distance. He's doing 60 in a 30.

The speeder has finally twiged he's been Stiged. It will be the

surprise of his life. I think he was very surprised to see us. Good

evening. Out you get. When he saw us loom up behind him in a plain

car. And suddenly flick the blue lights on, he was more than

surprised to see us. Jump in and we shall explain all.

Hello. Hello. Why do you think we have stopped you? I was going too

fast. You certainly were. Before I talk to you about that, I have to

caution you. He didn't seem too bothered at first. What's the speed

limit on the dual carriageway? 70mph. What sort of speed do you

think you were doing? Quite fast. Give us a guess. About 100. As you

passed us, you were doing well in excess of 100, I measured your

speed. If I turn up the display at 116mph, that is as you were driving

away from us, at a distance of 259ms. It is then taking us a good

ten minutes to catch you, you have had your foot to the floor all the

way from that Barton cutting, you were doing 60 through a 30. Is it

your motor? No, I work for Dunstable BEEP, it is a customer's

car, I'm dropping it back home. sure he will be overjoyed you have

been driving it like such an idiot. The customer's car has been in for

a quick service and a quicker return. You are so far above the

threshold I can't deal with you by means of fixed penalty. Normally I

would write you a ticket and you get three points and a �60 fine. I

can't do that because of the speed you were going at. You are going to

be reported to court. I just need to take a few more details. Any

particular reason you were going that fast? Like I say I just

finished work, it was my own fault, I just wanted to get home. It is no

excuse, I know. Getting home is no reason for going flat out, through

country roads. You were certainly well within the realms of a

disqualification. Lose my job then I suppose. It was your foot to the

floor, wasn't it. I know, it wasn't you guy's fault. Thank you. Keep it

down. If he didn't have his foot to the floor, he wouldn't have got in

that situation. He might be looking at a disqualification, I wasn't

forcing him, he has no-one to blame but himself. It will probably need

another service now. Most customers wouldn't be too impressed to know

their car was flying back to them. Speed kills, we're always told. But

the truth is, accidents are far more likely to be the result of

poor driving standards. PC Tanveer Hussein, is, as always, on the look

out for drivers that are a menace on the road. Like the car coming up

to the roundabout in front of the blue car ahead. He's driving with

no lights on, as he went round the roundabout, I think he has managed

to put them on, it looks like he has just started up, let's have a

chat with the driver and see where he has come from and where he's

going. Do all the checks and make sure his

documents are in order. Parking like that begs the question, what

on earth? To be honest I was thinking drink driver, the vehicle

and the driver decided to stop in the middle of the road. The driver,

is, in fact a woman. Can you park up on the left somewhere more

suitable, this is not OK at all. There were cars behind me and

vehicles on coming. I asked her to move forward and park her vehicle

in a more suitable case, only to see her park it right on the mouth

of the junction, technically blocking it so no vehicles could

turn out or come in. To make matters worse she's now on the

phone. Get off the phone, reverse and park your car there, this is

not ideal. Keep coming, that will do.

Look how she has left it now, she has just not got a clue.

It was a nightmare, it was at an angle. I was thinking is it the

first time she's driving the car, is it her car. How many years have

you been driving? Not long. long, no, with all due respect it

shows, unfortunately. Do me a favour, bring your driving license

with you. And come and take a seat in my car, please. A quick chat.

I'm not sure I brought my license. Any identification, something with

your name on it. Is anything the matter. I wish to speak to you

about the fact you were driving with no lights on. I made a mistake,

when I was turning around the roundabout, I went into the traffic

and I made a mistake and I realised I put the lights off, it was just a

second, if you could remember. I made a mistake and just turned it

and I thought, oh my God, and then it was mistake, actually. Have you

got anything with your name on it, can you bring it with us. Alarm

bells were bringing thinking there is a bit more.

For bet getting to put your lights on can - forgetting to put your

lights on can happen to anyone, and more than a gentle reminder is

rarely needed. For Tanveer he thinks there is something else.

What kind of license have you got? I have a provisional license, we

have visitors at home, my husband usually drives.

I have to caution you and say you, you need to understand anything you

say...She said she was a care worker and was on her way to work.

You should be supervised and should have "L" plates. I have bad news

for you, your vehicle will be seized and you will be reported for

that offence. They had family friends around who they were

entertaining, that is why her husband couldn't take her to work,

I didn't buy that for a minute. woman does have insurance cover,

but is laifg her car seized under - is having her car seized under

section 165 of the Road Traffic Act for not having a valid license.

didn't grasp the idea she should not be driving because she only has

a provisional license. That is why people have to take tests.

She stated initially that she had no identification on her. She then

went had a little look in the car, whilst taking the stuff out of the

car, she found her provisional license. You did had something in

there. I thought you were trying to hide this from me, if I'm honest. I

knew I would find out in the end, it would have been nice just to.

couldn't hide it. All right, what do you want from the boot. I just

want to check something. I don't like being lied to, I'm a fair guy

when it comes to dealing with people, you will get your respect

if you give me my respect. She knew she was in trouble, and it was a

matter of let's hide this from him. As the recovery truck arrives, so

has the women's husband. And it's his car. Has she explained to you

what happens. I want to take my car, you don't need to take it away.

Because she's on her own, she has a provisional license, No Full

license, no "L" plates, the reason the vehicle is being seized, that

is why it is being taken. I expected a disagreement about why I

have seized the car, it happens all the time. I have come to collect

the car. I know the policy. Do you know it better than me. I don't

know it better than you. She's at home because I'm at home with a few

friends, I'm not in any way arguing. The moment I speak to control and

say I need the vehicle recovered, that is it, there is normally no

turning back, for me, that is job done. The man will have to visit

the pound now to get his car back. There is never a dull moment for

Andy and Keith in their unmarked Vauxhall Vectra, a van being stolen

is being chased and heading in their direction.

An armed response vehicle called up on the radio saying that they were

behind a vehicle, that vehicle was failing to stop for them. I have a

feeling he will come out here, keep going. The Stig has taken a back

seat now. It is daunting knowing that someone of that experience is

sat next to you, you just want to impress him, and him to think you

are a good driver. The plan is to take out the stolen car's tyres

with a stinger. We were able to park up and Keith ran to the boot

to get the stinger out. But they are a fraction of a second too late.

He has literally got it in his hands as we watched the stolen car

flash past u closely followed by the armed response guys. Sorry mate.

They have had a stroke of luck, the car has gone down to a roundabout

and come back their way. I have stopped, turned round and got

behind the stolen car. 150, he's coming back, if you are at the

roundabout. 150 is the call sign for Craig and

Sam, they are up ahead and about to join the fray. Only pursuit-trained

traffic cops are allowed to tackle high-speed pursuit, they need to

overtake the armed response officers. Ask LRV to let us through.

They have quickly caught up with the train of vehicles. Ask them to

let us through. 850 the foxtrot unit, can you let

us past. The car thief thinks he can escape on the mortarway. We had

the sense it could turn into something. Because the potential

for danger is so much more on the motorway because of the speed of

the vehicles. The helicopter is called, the crew specialises in

helping traffic cops. It can get to most places within minutes of lift-

off. It is gone midnight and fortunately

traffic is light on the motorway, that is not much consolation for

Sam. It is not much fun being the passenger, you can see what is

going on, you have the helicopter that takes over the commentary, you

are completely out of control, there is nothing you can do.

have the visual. The helicopter crew have had no

trouble picking up the pursuit. Chiefly because of their thermal-

images camera. I have two traffic unites in pursuit at the moment.

Coming up to junction 11 at this time. Things are hotting up. Keith

and Andy in the unmarked car are still right on the car thief's tail

and he's trying desperately to shake them off. He's weaving across

all three lanes, no regard for other people's safety. The longer

it drags on the more risk of something gone wrong at the end of

it. Ask Keith if they want to let us through. There is an exit coming

up, he's gone for it. It was tight enough to make Keith

cringe. That's got to be pretty tight, not a lot phases Keith. You

knew it was very tight. I think there was probably a fag paper

between my front bumper and the cones that were leading up to the

offslip, and I think there was probably slightly less room between

me and the white van. If white van man is watching, sorry.

From above the car thief's last- minute manoeuvre and Andy and

Keith's close shave can be seen as they take the exit. You knew at the

time I made the wrong choice, Keith can say 1,000 words with one raised

eyebrow. The stolen vehicle is heading into Luton, and potential

danger. It is already, Sam. drive is so desperate to get away

he's speeding up a oneway street, the wrong way. The vehicle is wrong

way, wrong way, he's still on Dunstable Road.

Very busy high street, forcing other cars out of its way, it is

then go gone pretty much flat out over some speed bumps, we could see

the sparks as it hit the floor. driver is putting lives at risk,

and the wrong way up a dual carriageway.

At these speeds and with the driver so recognise le, the chances of an

accident are e- reckless, the chances of an accident are enormous.

They are seriously considering calling off the pursuit. I'm not

going down a dual carriageway the wrong way for anybody. You have to

be careful not to go into an area of red mist. If that guy gets away,

he gets away. You could see as we were going on the other side of the

dual carriageway, I was sweating, coming towards him was two lines of

traffic, he had nowhere to go, it was lucky he turned off before

having a head-on with one of the vehicles. Losing the traffic cars

is one thing, getting rid of the eye in the sky quite another.

Exchange Road. Target vehicle is stop, stop, stop. The man is out

and running for his life. To succeed he will have to out run the

cops and hide from the chopper's camera.

Exchange Road. Andy and Keith have lost ground, because of the dual

carriageway they have had to go the long way round. I saw his car close

up against symbol lards in an alleyway a his - some bolards in an

alley way and he's gone. Keith had seen him going up and over the wall,

and all credit to him, Keith was up and over it. No-one gets away from

The Stig. Craig and Sam are close behind.

There was confusion, because one minute he was running in front of

us, the next minute he has vanished. But he hasn't lost the choppers.

He's on the other side of the wall you are running across, he's on the

left, running parallel to you know. Once it is focused on you, you have

to be very lucky to get away from it. Very lucky.

All of a sudden there is a problem. Andy's realise the missing man

could be heading straight back to the car he stole. I went back to

secure the car, and make sure no- one nicked our one.

The cavalry has arrived, it really will take something extraordinary

for the car thief to escape now. But it looks like he is trying

something extraordinary. He's breaking into a house, standby.

Just getting told into it on the radio, we don't know is he breaking

into the house, or does he live there. On the ground there is

confusion over which house he's in. Has anyone come in the front of

your house. Do you know what, to be honest I just thought I heard the

front door slam. Can we come in. The helicopter catches him going

into a house, but doesn't see him come out the back. Are you still in

the premises, you have to do a fuller search of the house. Is it

this one. He hasn't coming, he hasn't come out. It is getting on

1.00am, and the whole neighbourhood is woken up. It is not for nothing,

the car thief has been caught at last, not in the house but in the

garden nearby. While the helicopter may have lost sight of the fugutive

a wide awake neighbour hasn't, she found him hiding in her shed.

The time he went into the house, he has gone straight through and out.

Which the helicopter initially missed. The man's been caught and

cuffed. Even so, he still wants to fight the law. Shut up. Collapse

then and we will drag you. Police assault.

Just take me like normal, it's normal isn't it. There is some

height distance between me and Craig, it was probably a little

uncomfortable for him. Get in and shut up.

Just get in there, fella. You can see that, it is just

ridiculous, his driving there, you can't follow him, I'm not going

down a dual carriageway, public safety is paramount. Talk to us now.

Get the BEEP off me. Is that your first or last name? BEEP you, you

wanted to drag me like a dog, when I spoke to you. How did he get in

there. I dropped down 20 foot of wall following him. Proving he's

still nimble, Keith had his own little adventure in the lady's back

garden. I ran round to the back where he was, the helicopter said

he had gone over the wall. I looked over the wall, and there is about a

12-foot drop, I lowered myself slowly over the wall and dropped

down. When I was in the premises, whatever it was, I then couldn't

get out the fence, it was mostly like sharp rotating blades on the

top of it, and eventually I had to take my jacket off, put it over the

top of one of the fences and climb out that way. He caught his arm on

the top of the wall, shrugged it off and took it all in his stride.

A check in the stolen car has uncovered something interesting.

There was some silver foil, and there was a bread knife in there as

well. He hasn't got that to carve his bread up, has he. Tin foil is

generally a sign of someone who lives on drugs. Unless it was the

remains of his packed lunch. Can I get my jacket please now. Can you

walk to the custody area. I just want my jacket. The aggressive car

thief has been taken to the Police Station in Luton. Can I have my

jacket now. No. Why. Because I said so. I'm in the custody suite now.

He was disappointed and angry because he was caught. Stop

touching my arms.Am I going to have a fightor do my BEEP nuts off.

Don't start. When they were going through the booking in procedure

and he gave his name. Something rang alarm bells with me. Cooke is

someone Sam suspects might have given the police a slip after an

altercation. I had to make a couple of frantic phone calls. Just by

pure chance, because I had been at that job and the job that evening,

that I remembered his name, and he got arrested for those offences as

well. Listen carefully. Ant nigh there is an outstanding incident

happened in Bedford a couple of days ago, where I'm arresting you

on causing ABH times two. It was pure chance that nobody was hurt

after his crazing driving. We have to stop him. He carries on driving,

at some stage his odds will end and he will hit something.

It was more a long goodbye than the awe revoir for Anthony Cooke, when

he was sent to prison for 18 months baned for driving for three years,

after he pleat - banned for driving for three years, after he pleaded

guilty to failing to stop and speeding. The woman who found

parking problematic was fined a total of �85 and given three points

for driving otherwise than in accordance with a license.

The woman who had only popped out for kaury but got caught drinking

and driving - curry, but got caught drinking and driving was banned for

three years for failing to provide a specimen, and fined �60 for not

wearing her seatbelt. The we are drunk driver, only caught because

he was riding his clutch, got a 20 month ban and a �100 fine. He

wasn't charged with taking the stolen car, but he did have it

forfeited. His girlfriend and other passengers were released without

being charged. The driver who worked for a local car dealer,

caught speeding in a customer's car, was fined �315, and disqualified

from driving for 14 days. The young driver who crashed and injured his