A POLICE chase in North Yorkshire involving a specially equipped helicopter and specialist officers has led to an arrest after a vehicle was abandoned in the River Esk, police say.

North Yorkshire Police said at just after 1.30am this morning (August 10), officers attempted to stop a vehicle on the A171 north of Whitby.

The force said it pursued the vehicle through Egton where it collided with a parked car and reverse-rammed a specialist police vehicle.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “The roads policing officer utilised specialist tactics and continued to follow the vehicle towards the village of Grosmont.

“As the driver crossed the ford, they then turned into the River Esk.

“The vehicle was left abandoned in the river and the driver fled on foot, but a police helicopter equipped with specialist night-time vision equipment was close by.

“Within minutes, the helicopter was overhead when it spotted a heat source next to a tree.

“Units on the ground were guided in and the suspect was detained.”

North Yorkshire Police said a 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for the police and possession of a suspected Class-A drug.

Further enquiries show that the man was wanted in connection with five burglaries in the North Yorkshire and Cleveland area and he was further arrested for burglary.

Duty Superintendent Victoria Taylor from North Yorkshire Police said: “This was an excellent detection by our specialist operations officers.

“Despite trying to run from us, we were able to arrest the man who now remains in custody.”