'Dangerous' van driver pleads guilty after police chase length of M27

Traffic officers were alerted by worried members of the public who witnessed the van driving erratically and “posing a risk” to road users on Wednesday around 12.30pm. Police then chased down the vehicle for the next 25 minutes from junction 3 to junction 11.

Hampshire Roads Policing Unit posted a picture on social media of two police vehicles by the white van - one of which had sandwiched the van on the hard shoulder against railings.

Samson Biddle, 37, of Billy Road, Hayling Island, was charged with driving a motor vehicle dangerously and failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He has now admitted the offences at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court. He has been committed to Portsmouth Crown Court for sentence on December 19. He was remanded in custody.

Police said they received reports at 12.35pm on Wednesday of a vehicle being driven dangerously on the M27, at junction 3. “Officers attended, located and stopped the vehicle on the M27 at junction 11 (westbound), shortly after 1pm,” a spokesperson said.

A police social media post previously said on Wednesday of the incident: “This afternoon we received multiple reports of a van being driven dangerously on the M27.

“Roads Policing Unit (RPU) officers quickly located the vehicle, but the driver failed to stop, resulting in a pursuit. As the pursuit continued, the driver’s behaviour became increasingly dangerous and posed a serious risk to other road users.

“Our suitably trained RPU officers assessed the situation and deployed authorised tactics to bring the incident to a robust but safe conclusion on the motorway. Tactical contact was used to stop the vehicle before anyone was hurt.

“The driver is now in custody for dangerous driving, drugs offences, and impairment.”