Cars and van seized in busy night for traffic police

Earlier today police were called to Lever Edge Lane after reports that a man had been seen trying car doors.

Officers arrived and closed in on a grey Volkswagen Passat.

Volkswagen Passat seized by police in Bolton. Photo courtesy of GMP

But the car's occupants "didn't want to hang around", and made off through nearby gardens, police said.

One of the passengers from the car was later caught and arrested, and the car was seized.

In another incident, officers from the GMP Traffic team had been on patrol in Moss Bank Way when they spotted a silver BMW being driven on false plates.

After police pursued the car to Marland Avenue in Johnson Fold, the driver darted out of the BMW while it was still moving ­— leaving the car to crash into a parked vehicle.

BMW seized by police in Bolton. Photo courtesy of GMP

The driver then dived through gardens and jumped over fences to evade the police.

Officers seized the vehicle but were unable to catch up with the driver.

GMP Bolton North said: "The driver clearly didn’t want to stick around and explain why his car was on false plates.

"He abandoned the car whilst it was still moving, leaving it to collide with a parked car. He then took to garden hopping.

"The vehicle has been recovered and enquiries are on going."

Citroen Berlingo van seized by police in Bolton. Photo courtesy of GMP

Later on, traffic police pursued a white Citroen Berlingo van from Chorley Old Road.

The fleeing driver headed into the Heaton area before crashing into a parked car on Bashall Street.

He then made off on foot into the nearby housing estate.

The van was found to have no registered keeper or insurance and was seized by officers.

Audi seized by police in Bolton. Photo courtesy of GMP

Police also seized a suspected stolen Audi found in Deane Road yesterday evening.

The black car had been involved in a police pursuit earlier that day.

It had also previously failed to stop for patrols over the last few weeks.