Man charged after police car reportedly rammed during Hartlepool pursuit
Cleveland Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage
A man has been charged after a car reportedly rammed a police car and was driven the wrong way along the A689 in Hartlepool.
Cleveland Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.
The force said it happened at around 1:45am on Sunday 8th November in the Galsworthy Road area.
What police say happened
Officers initially pursued a Citroen C3 after it made off.
Police allege the car travelled the wrong way along the A689, went off-road and was driven head-on towards members of the public on a dual carriageway.
Officers in a marked armed response vehicle pre-empted this and slowed the traffic to protect the public.
Police said the pursuit was safely concluded when tactical contact was made with the car.
Man charged
Cleveland Police said 20-year-old Rhys Robinson, of Hartlepool, was arrested and later charged with dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, no insurance and possession of a knife or bladed article in a public place.
He appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court on Monday 9th November.
He has been remanded in custody until a further court appearance at Teesside Crown Court in December.
Police appeal
Superintendent Emily Harrison said: "We recognise that this incident would have been extremely frightening for any motorists who encountered it and we want to reassure the public that swift and decisive action was taken by officers to bring the incident to a safe conclusion and to secure an arrest, ensuring no ongoing risk to the community."
Anyone with information or footage that could help the investigation is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference 223595.
Footage can also be submitted directly through the force's online appeal page.