Stolen Sidmouth car stopped by police stinger near Stonehenge

A stolen car from Sidmouth had all four of its tyres blown out by a police stinger as police attempted to apprehend the thieves in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Police received a call at approximately 8.30am on Sunday reporting a Vauxhall Astra stolen from the Sidmouth area of Devon had been spotted entering Wiltshire on the A303.

Officers deployed a stinger on an area of road to stop the car, which blew all four tyres once it had driven over it. The grey Astra then continued for a short time, pursued by a police vehicle, before crashing into a grass bank close to Stonehenge.

Three men ran from the vehicle; two - the driver and one of the passengers - were detained by officers shortly afterwards.

The driver is currently in custody and the passenger was taken to hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

A 40-year-old man from London and a 41-year-old man (of no fixed address) were arrested on suspicion of stealing a motor vehicle.

A third man is still outstanding but police are making enquiries to locate him.

The area of the A303, where the stinger was deployed, was closed to traffic while the operation was carried out.

Inspector Ricky Lee said: "This was good work carried out between the dogs' unit, the police helicopter team and our officers on the ground.

"From receiving the call to stopping the vehicle and apprehending two of the three occupants took less than half an hour thanks to the diligent and professional work of the teams involved.

"We are appealing for witnesses to find the third suspect; if you heard or saw anything suspicious or anyone acting suspiciously in this busy area this morning please contact us."

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote crime reference number 5419007643 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.