This is the dramatic moment a banned driver who led police on a dangerous high-speed chase over four miles in a stolen car was chased down and arrested.
Footage from the arresting officer’s body-worn camera has been released as Matthew Graham Towler, 41, starts a prison sentence.
Police said at one point during the pursuit, Towler drove the Ford Fiesta at 90mph in a 20mph area – and reached speeds of up to 100mph.
GMP said he drove at ‘excessive’ speed through narrow streets and his ‘reckless actions could easily have resulted in a serious collision’.
When arrested, Towler was found with 15 car keys, a device for cloning keys and a lock pick, a court heard.
(Image: GMP)
He’s now beginning a two-and-a-half year sentence after pleading guilty to a series of charges.
The officer gives a running commentary of the pursuit, before shouting ‘got a decamp, got a decamp’ as Towler gets out of the car and runs away.
The Fiesta had actually hit a kerb in the Tyldesley area of Wigan.
Police dogs had also been deployed.
Towler says ‘chill out, chill out’ as the officer who gave chase relays ‘driver detained’ to the control room.
He’s then arrested and handcuffed on the floor.
(Image: GMP)
Towler, of Blake Avenue, Lostock Hall, Preston, Lancashire, was sentenced by a judge at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday.
He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, handling stolen goods and going equipped for the theft of a motor vehicle, GMP said.
Police said the pursuit began when officers spotted the Ford Fiesta travelling at ‘high speed’ on Cleggs Lane in Little Hulton, Salford, at 1.30am on November 25 last year.
GMP said in a statement: “Towler continued to increase his speed while being pursued by police, reaching speeds of up to 100mph and travelling on the wrong side of the road.
“In Tyldesley town centre, Towler drove at 90mph in a 20mph area, eventually clipping a kerb on Elliott Street and coming to a stop.
(Image: GMP)
“Towler left the vehicle but officers gave chase and arrested him close by.”
Detective Sergeant Daniel Worthington said: “Further patrols then began to arrive and the vehicle was checked on the Police National Computer.
“The registration that the vehicle was displaying was not linked to any vehicle.
“However, from checking the chassis number, it was discovered that the vehicle had been stolen on Monday, November 22 in Tyldesley without the keys.
“Further PNC checks showed Towler was also a disqualified driver.
“Towler drove at excessive speed through narrow streets and his reckless actions could easily have resulted in a serious collision.
“Thankfully, officers acted swiftly and professionally to arrest him and due to their brave actions and quick thinking he is now behind bars.”
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