Driver arrested after chase from outside prison

THE driver of an allegedly stolen car led police on a dramatic 70mph chase after speeding away from a surveillance operation outside a prison.

- JOHN SCHEERHOUT

Video released by Greater Manchester Police showed the pursuit through the streets of Salford after the man, believed to be a prison visitor, saw a major police operation to stop drugs being smuggled into HMP Forest Bank and fled.

The black Audi A3 performed a sudden U-turn and sped away from the jail on Wednesday morning where an operation was under way to stop the tide of contraband being smuggled into prisons via drones and other methods.

Waiting patrol cars gave chase.

The pursuit topped 70mph through suburban streets in Little Hulton before the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

A suspect was later traced with the help of a camera mounted on a police helicopter hovering above.