COUNTY NEWS: Pictures of high-speed biker in police chase

The suspect was witnessed travelling at high speeds through built-up parts of Worthing and Brighton, for more than two hours.The motorcyclist rampaged through Sussex, at speeds exceeding 100mph yesterday afternoon (Thursday), and managed to evade police when he dumped his motorbike and jacket, and made off through Churchill Square.

Now police are appealing for anyone who recognises the man, or knows of his whereabouts to come forward.

The man, in his early 30s, has a distinguishing mole on his right lower lip and may recently have had a haircut to remove distinctive wavy hair.

He is thought to have been in the Western Road area near the Waitrose store at around 6.45pm yesterday prior to being picked up in an as yet unidentified vehicle.

Hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and other relevant places in the city are being visited as part of the investigation, and officers are also following up further lines of enquiry in Hampshire.

Roads policing officer Sergeant Alan Spicer said: “We were unable to apprehend the man yesterday as it was too dangerous for patrols to pursue him at the speeds he was reaching without further risk to others.

“But he is now believed to be hiding up and we would welcome any information from people recognising him or with knowledge of his current whereabouts.”

The suspect was the focus of a substantial police operation yesterday afternoon, as helicopters, road traffic teams, and police dog units were deployed to catch the man.

He was initially spotted by police on the A24 southbound between Broadbridge Heath and Findon at about 2.37pm. A NPAS police helicopter was deployed to monitor the motorcyclist. After circling the area, he crashed in Offington Drive, Worthing, at the junction of the A27 at about 3.40pm.

He then continued without his helmet in the direction of Durrington, before he returned to the A27 and travelled towards Shoreham. A second helicopter was then sent to replace the previous one when in the Hove area.

The suspect was traced riding along Dyke Road Avenue, into Brighton city centre and down to Brighton Pier, before heading west to Portslade. He then travelled along Western

Road through Hove, and circled Brighton again before he crashed for a second time at the barriers to the Churchill Square car park at about 4.54pm.

From here, he is believed to have entered the shopping centre on foot, where he discarded a leather jacket, and exited out into the town centre.

“The helicopter was the best option to monitor his progress without causing any further danger. We also had traffic officers and the police dog unit assigned.”Inspector Dave Frey said: “The suspect was riding with total disregard of his own safety and those of others – at excessive speeds, through red lights, manoeuvring around bollards onto the wrong side of the road, and onto pavements in town centres. He pretty much contravened every road traffic law and I’m thankful that no one was injured.

Police, including neighbourhood officers, searched the shopping centre and the town centre, and are reviewing CCTV with security staff.

The motorcycle, helmet and leather jacket have been recovered, and these will be forensically examined.

Inspector Frey said: “Following an hour-long search of the city centre, assigned officers were stood down, and an investigation is now underway to find and identify the suspect so we can put him before the courts.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on [email protected] or call 101, quoting serial 814 of 10/03.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.