Lateral flow tests used in the UK identify Omicron with just as much accuracy as previous strains, UK Government scientists insisted today. Experts said they hope the results will allay concerns the devices are less sensitive to the mutant strain.

 This is the moment a gang of suspected catalytic converter thieves hurled a power tool at officers and then rammed their car during a police chase. 

The incident happened on Union St, in Greater Manchester, on December 15 shortly after 2.20pm. 

Officers believe the VW Jetta in the video - which was on false plates - is linked to catalytic converter thefts in seven Greater Manchester boroughs.A masked man wielding what appears to be an electric power drill hurls the tool at a police car in Greater Manchester

A masked man wielding what appears to be an electric power drill hurls the tool at a police car in Greater Manchester

The man had jumped from a grey Volkswagen during a police chase of a suspected catalytic converter gang

The man had jumped from a grey Volkswagen during a police chase of a suspected catalytic converter gang

Dramatic footage shows the Volkswagen reversing backwards to ram the police car, accidentally knocking over the masked man who threw the power tool.

He then scrambled back inside and the car raced off again with police in pursuit.

The thieves targeted Manchester, Salford, Bury, Tameside, Stockport, Oldham, and Rochdale, and police said raiders had been armed in some of the incidents. 

Officers pursued the car for 10 minutes across Oldham and Rochdale, where the motor was ditched and its occupants fled.

The police footage starts with the officers' car catching up with the grey Volkswagen.

Both the car's doors open and a masked man jumps out, armed with a power tool.

He throws it at the police car before the Volkswagen accidentally runs him over with the open left-side door.

The power tool bounces off the windscreen and bonnet and the police are able to continue the chase around the corner.

The power tool bounced off the police car's windscreen and bonnet and the officers were able to continue the chase

The power tool bounced off the police car's windscreen and bonnet and the officers were able to continue the chase 

After being accidentally run over by the grey car's open door the masked man bundles himself back into the car

After being accidentally run over by the grey car's open door the masked man bundles himself back into the car

A police officer is heard saying: 'I've been rammed and they've thrown something at me on Union St. Safe to continue.

'Violence is obviously escalating so I do need a patrol sooner rather than later.'

Greater Manchester Police said: 'One of our officers followed a suspicious Volkswagen Jetta on the afternoon of Wednesday December 15 after a series of recent reports of catalytic converter thefts.

'The car - believed to be on cloned plates - is said to have been involved in these incidents of late, during which offenders are understood to have been armed with weapons.

The grey car then once again speeds away as the police give chase in footage released by Greater Manchester Police

The grey car then once again speeds away as the police give chase in footage released by Greater Manchester Police

'During the pursuit, the driver of the VW Jetta tried to ram the police car while a passenger wearing a balaclava threw a heavy metallic object - believed to be a power tool - towards the officer's vehicle in an unsuccessful attempt to disable it.

'No arrests have been made and investigators are continuing to probe the series of thefts that have featured offenders brazenly stealing converters in broad daylight, whilst holding weapons and wearing masks, to intimidate and threaten victims.'

Any information about the thefts, or the identity of those involved in the chase, has been urged to get in touch with police.

Details can be passed to GMP online, or via 101 quoting incident 1373 of December 15. 

Alternatively, information can be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

No comments:

Powered by Blogger.