The police helicopter was deployed to assist after four vehicles were reportedly broken into at the Rivington Services on the M61.

Four men have since been charged by police over the alleged incidents.

Officers were called to the services at 12.15am on February 22, to reports attempts were being made to steal from lorries and cars on the northbound services.

According to police, a BMW 3 Series car was pursued on the M61 with the assistance of the police helicopter and brought to a stop near to junction nine of the motorway.

Four men were arrested in the area of the Walton Summit industrial estate, and have since been charged with dangerous driving, being carried on/in a motor vehicle taken without consent, two offences of vehicle interference and two offences of criminal damage.

They are: 

  • Paul Marcus Durant, 28, of Shirley Road, Cleckheaton,
  • John Beardsworth, 19, of Union Road, Liversedge,
  • Jayden Marsden, 19, of East Bath Street, Batley,
  • Jordan Barber, 25, of Gledhill Terrace, Dewsbury.

They have all been remanded to appear before Preston Magistrates' Court today (February 23).

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “Lancashire Police have charged four men after vehicles were [reportedly] broken into at Rivington Services on the M61.

“Officers were called to the services at 12.15am on February 22 to reports that attempts were being made to steal from lorries and cars on the northbound services.

“A BMW 3 Series car was subsequently pursued on the M61 with the assistance of the police helicopter and brought to a stop near to junction nine of the motorway, before four men were arrested in the area of the Walton Summit industrial estate."