Driver arrested after alleged stolen car driven wrong way during A1 police pursuit

A suspected stolen car was brought to a stop by specially trained police officers after a high-speed pursuit along the A1 on Tuesday afternoon, following what officers described as a dangerous attempt to drive the wrong way towards Newry.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the incident began at around 1.49pm, when officers received a report that a grey Volkswagen Passat CC had been stolen in the Tates Avenue area of Belfast.

Officers from the PSNI’s Auto Crime Team located the vehicle after it was last seen travelling southbound on the A1 and monitored its movements before attempting to intervene.

Pursuit launched after vehicle fails to stop

At approximately 2.15pm, officers from the Auto Crime Team, supported by the Armed Response Unit and Roads Policing Unit near Dromore, attempted to stop the vehicle using pre-planned tactics.

Police said the driver failed to stop, prompting a high-speed pursuit as the car continued towards the border.

The pursuit came to a dramatic conclusion near the Carnbane Roundabout outside Newry after the driver allegedly attempted to turn and travel the wrong way along the motorway on-slip towards the city.

According to the PSNI, officers used Tactical Contact—a specialist police tactic designed to safely stop a vehicle in high-risk circumstances—to immobilise the Passat because of the danger the manoeuvre posed to other road users.

Driver arrested on multiple alleged offences

The driver was arrested at the scene by officers from the Auto Crime Team and remains in police custody.

He was arrested on suspicion of several offences, including:

• Aggravated Taking and Driving Away

• Dangerous Driving

• Driving with Excess Alcohol

• Driving whilst Disqualified

• No Insurance

• Failing to Stop for Police

The PSNI said officers believe their actions prevented the vehicle from leaving the jurisdiction and reduced the risk of serious harm to other road users had the pursuit continued.

As the investigation continues, police have not released any further details about the identity of the driver or indicated when he is expected to appear before court.