Police helicopter joins 11-mile high-speed chase through Keynsham and south Bristol

Four men have been arrested after a high-speed police chase involving a police helicopter through Keynsham and south Bristol.

Avon and Somerset Police has issued a statement on what happened after dozens of people took to social media last night having witnessed parts of the pursuit.

It all started in Lower Bristol Road in Bath, when officers attempted to stop a car just before 8pm last night (September 1).

The car, however, took off at speed and five police cars joined the pursuit along with support from the National Police Air Service helicopter in search of the vehicle.

The police chase went through Keynsham; down Wellsway, along the High Street and up Charlton Road before heading toward Whitchurch.

The vehicle was discovered in Otterford Close in Whitchurch at about 8.10pm and two men were detained nearby. Two other men were arrested around the corner in Chessington Avenue at 8.20pm.

The four arrested were aged between 19 and 22. Two were were arrested on suspicion of burglary and two on suspicion of theft of a vehicle.

People who saw the chase voiced their concern on social media.

One person said: “Hope nobody innocent is involved as a result of the car chase and all officers can bring it to a safe and just conclusion.”

Another said: “The car being chased overtook me and cut me up on Bath Hill [in Keynsham], then drove along the high st the wrong way If I hadn’t pulled over I’m pretty sure he would have just smashed into me. Craziness.”

And another said: “All the people in the car had balaclavas on it was like something in a film.”

The police statement read: “Four men remain in police custody today, Friday 2 September, following a police operation in south Bristol on Thursday evening, 1 September.

“The arrests came after officers attempted to stop a car on Lower Bristol Road, Bath, just before 8pm.

“The vehicle was driven off at speed. Officers on the ground were supported by the National Police Air Service helicopter in a search for the vehicle and its occupants.

“The car was found in Otterford Close, Whitchurch, and two men were detained nearby at about 8.10pm. After a further search two other men were detained in Chessington Avenue at around 8.20pm.

“The vehicle was on false plates and has been identified as being stolen from Dorset. The four arrested men are aged between 19 and 22. Two were arrested on suspicion of burglary and two on suspicion of theft of a vehicle.”