POLICE recovered a machete from a car after a high-speed chase around Bolton.

The weapon was found on the back seat of a red Skoda Fabia after it was abandoned by thieves in Back St Helens Road, Daubhill.

Police had chased the car across Bolton from a burglary in Bradshaw, through Smithills, down Moss Bank Way, into Lostock and into Deane in a pursuit that lasted eight minutes and reached speeds of up to 80mph.

The thieves managed to out-pace the two police cars and finally fled on foot, leaving the large black machete in the back of the car.

The car and weapon have been examined by forensics investigators. Police have made public video footage of the chase.

PC Matthew Picton, of GMP'S road policing unit, said “This footage shows the lengths these individuals will go to in order to evade capture. Fortunately at this time of day the roads were empty, only through their reckless actions did they manage to gain ground on our officers and escape. Driving like this will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester and we will do our best to bring those responsible before the courts.”

The red Skoda Fabia involved in the chase was taken from an address in Bury, after a house was burgled and the keys were stolen last weekend.

Five thieves who were disturbed at 3.30am on Sunday at the back of a property in Bradshaw then used the car to get away. A police patrol car called to the scene in Bolton Road then began the pursuit, and was joined by officers in another car.

The stolen car went was then driven across Hulton Lane playing fields to Longfield Road, Deane before it was later found in Back St Helens Road.

Police searched the vehicle and found the machete and the car owner's house keys. The car has since been restored to its owner.

The incident comes after police warned residents in the north of the borough about a spate of burglaries.

Bradshaw, Harwood and Bromley Cross have all seen an increase in burglaries since June and police have increased patrols in the area as a result.

In some incidents thieves have taken keys from inside a property then stolen cars parked outside.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.