Suspect saved from bog during police chase

A police officer used his baton to rescue a suspect from a bog during a chase over a stolen vehicle.

Two balaclava-clad males were seen riding a moped through the Market Place of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on Wednesday.

They were then tracked down to some boggy fields with the help of a police helicopter.

Three people - a man and two teenage boys - have been arrested by Durham Constabulary on suspicion of the theft of a motor vehicle, driving without insurance and a licence, and drug driving.

The force’s roads and armed policing motorbike unit tracked down the suspects to some boggy fields after being alerted by local neighbourhood officer James Sewell.

A police spokesperson said: "The trio dumped the bike and tried to flee.

"Two of the suspects were chased down while the third – who tried to escape through a bog despite not being able to swim – had to be rescued by an officer extending his baton for him to grab hold of."

Police confirmed the three people were arrested and taken into custody.

The black-and-yellow moped, which had been reported stolen from Bishop Auckland, was recovered and will be returned to its legal owner.

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