Two men charged after stolen Toyota Hilux police chase across Sussex and Kent

Two men have been charged with multiple offences following a cross-county police pursuit, thanks to excellent partnership work between Sussex Police and Kent Police.

At around 5.30pm on Tuesday, 2 September, officers were alerted to a Toyota Hilux on cloned plates being driven through Horam, East Sussex. The vehicle had been reported stolen from Westham two days earlier.

A pursuit was launched after the Hilux was spotted travelling into Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Command was led by the Kent Police Force Incident Manager, with support from Sussex Police’s Roads Policing Unit and Specialist Enforcement Unit, who deployed tactics to stop the vehicle.

The Toyota was eventually abandoned in Montacute Gardens, Tunbridge Wells. The driver fled on foot but was tracked by a Sussex Police Dog Unit and found hiding in a toilet cubicle inside the nearby Sainsbury’s.

Detective Chief Inspector Cath O’Connor praised the coordinated effort, saying:

“This incident demonstrates how officers from neighbouring forces work together, often in fast-paced and dynamic situations, to keep the public safe from harm.

I’d like to commend all staff and officers involved for bringing the pursuit to a safe and successful conclusion.

While considerable damage was caused to a number of police vehicles and parked vehicles, thankfully no serious injuries were reported.”

Court results:

• Callum Bailey, 27, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with aggravated vehicle taking, failing to stop for police, driving without valid insurance, and driving without a valid licence. He has been remanded in custody and is due to stand trial at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 10 October.
• David Bird, 21, of Seaside Road, Eastbourne, was arrested and charged with possession of cannabis, two counts of driving while disqualified, failing to provide a specimen for analysis, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of burglary, and two counts of driving without valid insurance. He pleaded guilty to all charges at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 5 September and has been remanded in custody for sentencing on 3 October.