High-speed police chase across south Bristol called off after near misses with the public

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Police officers and a helicopter were told to ‘stand down’ during a pursuit across Bristol following the theft of a bike in the city centre.

Several residents reported seeing and hearing the helicopter flying low over south Bristol as well as hearing sirens in the late afternoon to early evening period yesteday (March 23).

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Avon and Somerset Police has confirmed its officers were tracking suspects on bikes for some time as they recklessly drove through the city narrowly avoiding collisions with members of the public. It followed a bike theft in Queens Square.

But the officers stopped the chase over safety concerns for other road users.

A police spokesperson told Bristol World: “We received a call at approximately 3.30pm yesterday (Thursday 23 March) that a motorbike had been stolen from the Queen Square area of Bristol. A number of similar thefts were also reported.

“The National Air Service Police Service helicopter was requested to help us follow a number of suspects on bikes across the city. Officers were stood down at about 6.15pm due to a number of factors, including safety concerns for other road users following a number of near-miss incidents and pedestrians.

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“A moped matching the description of one of the vehicles stolen was later recovered in south Bristol. Anyone with information that can help us identify anyone involved, or has dashcam, is asked to call 101 and quote reference number 5223068179.”

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