Police apologise after stinger takes out innocent drivers on dual-carriageway

Police have apologised after innocent drivers had their tyres destroyed in a police stinger operation gone wrong.

Suffolk Police revealed that "several" cars were damaged on a busy dual-carriageway at around 6.30pm on Thursday.

Officers had deployed a stinger - a spike strip used to puncture tyres - to intercept a suspect vehicle on the A14 near Newmarket.

But they actually burst the tyres of several innocent drivers after the stinger "moved position into the carriageway".

Police said two HGVs travelling past caused the spike strip to move from the side of the road.

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No one was injured in the incident and the force has promised to arrange recovery and repair for the damaged vehicles.

Suffolk Police said in a statement: "Police would like to sincerely apologise to all those involved for the inconvenience caused.

"An investigation will take place to determine the full circumstances of the incident."

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Chief Inspector Jonathan Chapman said it was "very rare” for incidents like this to happen.

He added: "I would like to extend my apologies to members of the public, not only those who had their vehicles damaged but also to those who were stuck on the A14 as I'm sure there would've been some impact to the road network.

"I would like to apologise to the public for any inconvenience caused and also thank them for their patience."