Police have shed more light on an incident which saw a motorist lead officers on a 40-mile chase through Somerset before being arrested in Honiton.

Midweek Herald: The chase ended in Somerset and ended in Honiton. Main image: Google MapsThe chase ended in Somerset and ended in Honiton. Main image: Google Maps (Image: Archant)

PC Adam Clapp responded to the call on Wednesday, February 7 after a Ford Focus failed to stop for police just after 7pm.

Speaking to the Herald, PC Clapp said the vehicle had previously been sighted in suspicious circumstances and activated the force’s Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology.

He said officers attempted to stop the vehicle in Ilminster at 7.06pm, adding: “The vehicle failed to stop at for police and was pursued for 45 minutes through Ilminster, Puckington, Hambridge, Curry Rivel, Fivehead, Wrantage, Thornfalcon, Ashill, Southfields, Marsh and Honiton.”

The 40-mile chase came to an end when the Ford Focus stopped in a dead end in Honiton.

PC Clapp said: “The driver and two other passengers were detained.

“One passenger made off from the car and could not be located by dogs or helicopter.

“The driver was arrested at the scene and conveyed to custody.

“He has since been released under investigation pending drug driving blood analysis and a charging decision from the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to dangerous driving.”