PSNI helicopter used to track car criminals in cross country pursuit

A PSNI helicopter was called out during a high-speed police chase across 40 miles of road.

Police responded to reports of cars being driven dangerously near Marrowbone Millennium Park on the Oldpark Road late on Wednesday.

Officers found one abandoned car in the area and a second car leaving the scene at speed.

The police gave chase and the helicopter was called in when speeds reached in excess of 100 mph.

The car, a Volkswagon Golf, sped off through Newtownabbey, Doagh, Ballymena, Broughshane and Carnlough.

The pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed on the Munie Road, between Glenarm and Ballymena, at about 1.10 am this morning, Thursday, May 25.

The occupants of the car fled on foot as police arrived at the scene, but the vehicle was seized and is being examined by forensic officers.

PSNI Inspector Paul Noble said: “The car has now been recovered and will be forensically examined.

“The gates to the Millennium Park were damaged as a result of the earlier incident and the abandoned car set alight in the grounds of the park.

“Enquiries are ongoing at present and I would appeal to anyone with any information to contact us on the 101 number.”