Police end pursuit with tactical contact on Water End
North Yorkshire Police used a tactical contact to stop a motorcycle in York on Sunday afternoon after the rider failed to stop for officers, dashcam footage released by the force shows. The incident, which ended on Water End, resulted in the arrest of a man in his 20s who was later charged and released on bail.
According to a police statement, the chain of events began at about 3.45pm when officers attempted to stop a Honda 400 on Lindsey Avenue because it was being ridden without a registration plate. The rider did not comply and a pursuit was initiated.
Video captured from a police car shows officers following the motorcycle before a police vehicle makes contact with the bike, bringing it to a halt. Police said the manoeuvre was carried out in line with training and national guidance.
"In line with their training and national guidance, officers used tactical contact on Water End to bring the motorcycle to a safe stop," a North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said.
Arrest, tests and charges
Following the stop, the rider was arrested. The force said he provided a positive roadside drugs test for cannabis while in custody and later failed to provide a specimen for laboratory analysis.
The man, described by police as being in his 20s, was not injured during the incident. Police noted there was minor damage to a police vehicle. He has been released on bail and is due to appear before magistrates at a later date.
The charges recorded by North Yorkshire Police are set out below:
| Offence | Detail |
|---|---|
| Using a motor vehicle without insurance | Rider had no insurance for the motorcycle |
| Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence | Alleged licence-related offences recorded by police |
| Careless driving | Driving considered to fall below standard expected of a careful driver |
| Failing to stop for police | Initial failure to comply with officers' attempt to halt vehicle |
| Failing to provide a specimen for analysis | Alleged refusal to provide further samples in custody |
Police explanation and public safety context
North Yorkshire Police emphasised it continues to target people who use the county's roads illegally and put other road users at risk. The force reiterated that officers are trained to use a range of tactics which are "lawful, proportionate and necessary" to bring incidents to a safe conclusion.
The force statement added that the rider was not injured and that the tactic was used to protect public safety. It did not provide further detail on the precise nature of the pursuit, such as its duration or the speeds involved.
- When: about 3.45pm on Sunday
- Where: started on Lindsey Avenue and ended on Water End, York
- Vehicle: Honda 400 motorcycle, ridden without a registration plate
Residents living near Water End reported a strong police presence at the time of the incident and can expect to see officers conducting follow-up enquiries as the case progresses to the magistrates' court.
Use of tactical contact by police has become a subject of public interest in recent years, particularly in densely populated urban areas where officers must balance the need to bring offenders to rest with the safety of passers-by. In this instance, North Yorkshire Police has framed the manoeuvre as a proportionate action taken under national guidance to stop a vehicle that failed to comply and was believed to be being ridden illegally.
Those with information about the incident or concerns about road safety in the area are encouraged to contact North Yorkshire Police through the usual non-emergency channels.
