A Northumbria Police operation to stop a suspected stolen car which included a police helicopter diverged on the Metrocentre this afternoon.
The car had been tracked by the National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter as it travelled from St Marks Way in South Shields and members of Northumbria Police's Motor Patrols team.
The vehicle was found abandoned in a multi-storey car park and police say the the occupants had fled from the scene.
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A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Shortly after 2.30pm today, police were made aware of a suspected stolen vehicle driving on St Marks Way, South Shields.
"Officers from the Force’s Motor Patrols team were deployed and with assistance from the National Police Air Service (NPAS) traced the vehicle as it made its way to Dunston.
"The vehicle was later found abandoned in a multi-storey car park at the Metrocentre and the occupants had made off from the scene. Enquiries to trace them are ongoing."
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