Man, 20, arrested after van ’reversed at speed’ into front of police station

15 April 2024 , 22:13

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Man, 20, arrested after van ’reversed at speed’ into front of police station

The suspected stolen van was reversed ’intentionally’ and at speed into the police station in Cheltenham before the driver fled the scene, Gloucestershire Police said

Police have arrested a man after a van "reversed at speed" into the front of a station in a smash which was apparently filmed and posted online.

A 20-year-old man is being questioned over the crash, after the suspected stolen vehicle "reversed at speed" into the police station in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on Sunday night. Now police have said they believe footage of the collision was circulated on messaging apps. A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Police said officers were called to the station shortly after 9pm, with the driver having then fled the scene. They said they believed the van had been intentionally reversed into the building.

"Investigating officers believe that footage of the incident has been circulated on messaging apps, and they are asking for anyone who has it to come forward," said the spokesperson. "Police were called shortly after 9pm to a report that a white van had been reversed at speed into the Hesters Way Police station on Princess Elizabeth Way.

Officers were called to the station shortly after 9pm, with the driver having then fled the scene ( Image: Gloucestershire Police)

A driver, wearing a balaclava, is believed to have deliberately crashed into Hester’s Way police station in a suspected stolen van ( Image: Gloucestershire Police)

"The driver then fled from the vehicle and went in the direction of Marsland Road. The driver was described as wearing a balaclava, a dark jacket and light coloured trousers. It is believed that this was done intentionally using a suspected stolen vehicle. A man from the Cotswolds was arrested today (Monday) on suspicion of criminal damage and remains in police custody for questioning.

"Some damage was caused to the doors of the building and due to this access cannot be gained by the public to reception until they are fixed. The building is open for police staff as normal. Anyone who was wanting to attend the station is asked to report online instead. Always dial 999 in the case of an emergency. Anyone with information or footage of what happened is asked to provide this to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 406 of 14 April."

David Wilson