Dramatic car chase

Sometime between 4.30pm and 5.20pm, a black BMW was stolen from the Boucher Road in south Belfast.

The thieves then drove off down the M1 in the direction of Lurgan.

When the vehicle was later spotted by police and waved over on the motorway the driver failed to stop.

The car was then pursued by the police.

The pair abandoned the stolen car near the entrance to Silverwood Golf Course on the Kiln Road shortly before 6pm, before running off into a nearby field.

One Ford Escort police car was initially involved in the chase.

Another 10 police vehicles came to the scene, along with a police helicopter and team of sniffer dogs.

Despite the large amount of police and powerful torches searching for the culprits, the pair remain undetected.

One eyewitness said: “It was bedlam. The police cars just seemed to come out of nowhere in a few seconds.

“I was walking down the Kiln Road when I saw a police car and another car abandoned at the side of the road.

“The police siren was still on and the doors of the other car were lying open. I knew immediately that someone was being chased.

“Within seconds, another eight or ten police cars came rushing to the scene.

“Soon after the dogs were out and the police were in the field with their big search lights.

“It looked to me like the people being chased didn’t have a chance of getting away. It was quite a big operation.”

Police are appealing to anyone who witnessed the car being abandoned or has information in relation to this incident to contact them in Lurgan on 0845 600 8000.

If you prefer to provide information without giving your details you should contact the independent crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.