Watch: Police chase suspected stolen quad bike through North Yorkshire in early-hours pursuit
A man has been arrested after police pursued a suspected stolen quad bike along roads near Whitby in the early hours of the morning.
At around 4.15am on Thursday, North Yorkshire Police received a 999 call from a member of the public reporting that his red quad bike had just been stolen.
The caller was following the quad bike and provided live updates to the police control room.
Within minutes, Specialist Operations officers travelling towards Whitby on the A171 spotted the suspected stolen quad bike travelling in the opposite direction towards Scaling Dam.
Officers activated their blue lights, but the rider did not stop and a pursuit began.
The quad bike travelled westbound along the A171 towards Scaling Dam before turning onto Roxby Low Moor and continuing along Roxby Lane, passing the junction for Borrowby.
It then travelled through Dale House before turning back towards Whitby on Hinderwell Lane.
Officers brought the quad bike to a stop near the Port Mulgrave turn-off, where Hinderwell Lane meets Rosedale Lane.
Police said the suspect discarded a mobile phone from his pocket during the pursuit, which was recovered by officers as part of their investigation.
At 4.39am, 24 minutes after the initial report, a man in his 30s from the Cleveland area was arrested.
He was initially arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
The suspected stolen quad bike was recovered.
Chief Inspector Alex Langley, from the Specialist Operations team at North Yorkshire Police, said: “This incident highlights the dedication of our officers who work around the clock to protect our communities. Thanks to a swift response and coordinated policing tactics, a suspected stolen vehicle was recovered, a suspect was arrested and a potentially dangerous situation was brought to a safe conclusion.
“While most people are asleep, our officers are out on North Yorkshire's roads preventing crime, pursuing offenders and keeping the public safe. This footage provides a glimpse into the reality of policing and the work carried out by our Specialist Operations officers every day.”
North Yorkshire Police subsequently confirmed that the man had been charged and remanded in custody.
He has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle, driving without insurance, failing to stop for police and driving while disqualified.
He appeared in court on Friday (Sept 18).