Two people were taken to hospital and two others are being sought by police after a suspected failed burglary at a Lincolnshire shop.
The police helicopter was called in to search for suspects after officers were called to the scene of a reported break-in attempt at the Premier Store in Skellingthorpe. Police were passed by a speeding car and found the vehicle in a ditch with two men inside. They were taken to hospital and the helicopter was called out to track two others who escaped.
The shop and news agency was boarded up and surrounded by police tape today (21 December) but it was still selling newspapers, the Lincolnshire Echo reported. It’s key that retailers have adequate business insurance not just to cover their stock in the event of a crime, but to pay for repairs to damage caused to their property.
The two men taken to hospital following the incident did not have life-threatening injuries. It’s understood one had to be cut free by firecrews from the vehicle, which had been stolen.
Lincolnshire Police said the car was not being chased when it crashed but the incident had been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, as is standard in such cases.
A police spokesman said: "Officers did not pursue the car but later found it in a ditch off Jerusalem Road, Skellingthorpe, following a search of the area.
"It is not believed that any other vehicles were involved. It has been established that the vehicle was stolen from a Lincoln address.”
Local people reported hearing the police helicopter overhead for around half an hour.
Glen Warner, who went to the Premier Store to buy his newspaper as normal, said: "It is terrible really for the business, especially before Christmas. I know they are only serving newspapers today. They are as shocked as everybody else.”
