A FRONT-seat passenger sparked a high-speed pursuit after jumping behind the wheel of a car – while officers were detaining the driver.

Police stopped the occupants of a Skoda Fabia on Durham Road, in Sunderland, shortly before 1.30am on Monday after the vehicle showed as having no insurance.

But after the female driver turned the engine off and left the car to be questioned by police, a male passenger hopped into the driver’s seat and fired up the ignition, before making off from the scene.

A 15-minute pursuit ensued, as the driver reached speeds of 70mph in a 30mph residential area, before the vehicle left the road and drove over a large field.

It also went the wrong way around a roundabout, but officers supported by Durham Police deployed a stinger device in the Seaham area, bringing the Fabia to a safe and abrupt stop.

Sergeant Nigel Bennett, of Northumbria Police’s Operations Department, has now praised all officers involved after two suspects were arrested and the vehicle was seized.

He said: “The driver’s erratic and selfish actions endangered not only his own life and the lives of officers, but families across Wearside as the vehicle in question drove down residential streets at excess speed.

“When faced with difficult and fast-moving situations such as this, it’s absolutely essential that officers act decisively but calmly in order to ensure nobody is injured and bring the vehicle is brought to a halt as quickly as possible.

“That was certainly the case here - it was textbook police work by officers, who were supported by colleagues in Durham, and I would like to thank everyone involved for their commitment and handling of this incident.

“Their teamwork and calm thinking under pressure resulted in the successful arrest of two suspects who ended their night in custody.

“There is absolutely no place for behaviour such as this on our roads and we will continue to do all we can to ensure those who endanger the lives of others while behind the wheel are brought to justice.”

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and has since been released under investigation. The woman who was originally detained, aged 19, has also been released under investigation with enquiries ongoing.

Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police via the Tell Us Something page of their website or by calling 101 quoting log 61 210920.