Police car chase ends in demolished wall

CRASH . . . a car driver being chased by police ends up in garden wall

A CHADDERTON householder is counting the cost after a car being chased by police ploughed into his listed building home.

The man, who did not want to be named, was looking through his kitchen window as he washed the pots on Sunday evening.

He said: “I heard a siren and an almighty crash and saw a Golf being chased by police go through the crossroads, and a Megane, which was tootling along Garforth Street, ploughed into its side.

“The Golf veered into my house, and the Megane, which had four people inside, screeched to a halt in front of my window.

“I went out to find the Golf had ploughed into the corner of my property. Luckily it didn’t affect the main structure, but it completely demolished the garden wall and the gates.”

He added: “One person got out of the Golf and ran off, while another was apprehended by the police.”

The man was in the house, which is a former Methodist church, on Garforth Street, with his daughter, his partner and her son.

He said the police cordoned off the four roads for around four hours to allow forensics and the collision unit to work.

The householder was this morning left with the problem of repairing the listed building, and was due to speak to experts for advice.

In a statement, police said: “Police on routine patrol signalled for a VW Golf to stop by activating the emergency equipment.

“The Golf failed to stop and officers began a short pursuit.

“As police arrived at the junction of Eustace Street and Garforth Street, they discovered the Golf had been in collision with a Renault Megane.

“The four occupants of the Megane suffered minor injuries in the collision and were taken to hospital for treatment.

“A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent and has been bailed until August 1, pending further inquiries.