Police operation in Sleaford sees officer pursue driver across field in extreme heat
A police operation to disrupt organised criminal networks was targeting drivers with false ID papers in the Sleaford last month.
Operation Foxtail saw three days of intensive enforcement in June, targeting criminals who are using fraudulent driving and identity documents on the county’s roads.
A taskforce carried out coordinated activity across Boston, Sleaford, and Lincoln, with Sleaford delivering results on June 26.
A significant proportion of the day’s activity in Sleaford centred around a vehicle that failed to stop for officers, prompting an extensive search to locate and arrest the driver.
Lincolnshire Police said later in a statement: “A 24-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, drug driving and driving without insurance. The incident took place during one of the hottest days of June on record, making the pursuit particularly challenging for officers involved.
“After the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, Response officer, PC Luke Whitaker, pursued him across open fields, working closely with the police dog unit and drone team to direct the search and pinpoint the suspect’s location. In the extreme heat, running in full operational kit demonstrated exceptional determination and resilience.”
Once the driver was apprehended, police said he needed water and time in an air-conditioned vehicle before he could be transported, highlighting the demanding conditions faced by officers throughout the pursuit and underscoring the considerable effort made by PC Whitaker to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.
The force said the man was released under investigation for the drug driving offence and was transferred to another force area in relation to being wanted for burglary.
In addition to the foot chase:
- Two Traffic Offence Reports were issued for having no insurance and for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
- DVSA colleagues issued a PG9 prohibition notice, which bans a vehicle from being used on public roads due to dangerous safety defects.
Officers were also joined at Sleaford and Lincoln by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs colleagues, who conducted fuel dip tests.
Inspector Carrie Diamond of the Specialist Operations Unit, who oversaw these days of enforcement, said: “This operation demonstrates the power of a highly coordinated taskforce. By bringing together specialist resources and expertise, we are disrupting criminality head on, targeting those who exploit our road network, believing they can operate undetected, and protecting the communities we serve. This kind of operation sends a clear message that criminal activity will not be tolerated on our roads, and the results speak for themselves. We’re attacking criminality in all its guises.