Norfolk police intervene as drink driver evades officers on the A11
Harry Palmer drove off at speed before being safely stopped by police near Elveden
Norfolk police safely stopped a drink driver on the A11 after he failed to halt for officers.
Harry Palmer, a 23-year-old from Saffron Walden, was banned from driving for 40 months after admitting to drink driving and evading police, Ipswich Magistrates Court heard on Monday 8th December 2025.
The incident began on the morning of Saturday 6th December when a member of the public raised concerns about Palmer, who they believed had driven off from a restaurant under the influence of alcohol.
At 7.49am, a police officer identified Palmer’s car heading southbound on the A11 from Thickthorn towards Thetford. After initially acknowledging the stop and braking at a petrol station, Palmer sped off, mounting a kerb and grass verge before returning to the A11.
Norfolk colleagues from the joint Roads and Armed Policing Team stepped in and safely boxed in Palmer’s vehicle further along the A11 near Elveden.
Palmer provided a roadside breath test result of 121ugs—more than three times the legal limit of 35ugs. He was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and failing to stop for police and taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre.
At custody, Palmer gave an evidential reading of 77ugs and was charged with both offences. He appeared before Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday morning, where he received a 40-month driving ban and was ordered to pay £278 in fines and costs.
December’s fast-track court dates, introduced as part of an annual campaign, mean drivers caught under the influence can face a court appearance and disqualification within days. Norfolk police say this system allows dangerous drivers to be removed from roads quickly and efficiently.
Anonymous reports of drink driving can be made via an online form that feeds directly into the police control room.