See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy KATHERINE LAWTON, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:46 BST, 31 August 2026 | Updated: 16:31 BST, 31 August 2026
A man who smashed the window of a property in Kent before allegedly stealing a van and driving it on the wrong side of a busy main road was arrested in a tactical swoop. Kent Police received reports that the man, 23, had taken the vehicle from a home in Swanscombe on Sunday afternoon. Officers located the van several hours later in Swanley, where it failed to stop and travelled into London, where the Met Police took over. Photos show the vehicle suspended in the air surrounded by shards of glass after the dramatic pursuit ended in a smash on the A20. Met Police officers detained the driver after making tactical contact - a manoeuvre used to bring a fleeing vehicle to a controlled stop - on Mottingham Road in Bromley on Sunday evening. The man, from Swanley, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking, criminal damage, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and failing to stop for police.He remains in custody as the investigation into the incident continues. A Met Police officer sustained an injury to his hand and was taken to hospital before being discharged. No other serious injuries were reported. A van is seen suspended in the air surrounded by shards of glass after a police chase ended in a crash on the A20 At least eight police vehicles attended the scene following the crash in Bromley Crowds gather around the scene after the crash on Sunday evening The force confirmed that the van was driving along the wrong side of the A20 for a 'short period of time'. One person who saw the scene of the crash told The News Shopper: 'It sounded like an air raid was about to kick off.'Never seen so many police cars before.' At least eight police vehicles attended the scene following the smash. Kent Police said in a statement: 'Kent Police was called at 2.55pm on Sunday 30 August 2026 to a report that a man had smashed a window and taken a van that did not belong to him from an address in Swanscombe.'The owner of the property is known to him.'At around 6.45pm officers located the van in the London Road area of Swanley. It did not stop and travelled into London, where Metropolitan Police officers detained the driver after making tactical contact with the vehicle in Mottingham Road, Bromley.'The man, aged 23 from Swanley, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking, criminal damage, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and failing to stop for police.'He remains in custody as enquiries continue.'One Metropolitan Police officer suffered an injury to his hand during the incident and no other serious injuries were reported.'
