Car driven dangerously at pedestrians - Manchester city centre

Pedestrians narrowly avoided serious injury or worse after a car was driven directly at them at high speed.

The incident happened at the junction of Southmill Street and Peter Street in Manchester city centre at about 4.10am on 15 October 2011.

A blue Ford Focus drove down Southmill Street and stopped to talk to a number of pedestrians. It is unclear what was said. Moments later, the car turned left onto Peter Street and then drove for a short period before performing a u-turn in the road.

The car was then deliberately driven at high speed towards the pedestrians, who were only saved by the car hitting street furniture and causing considerable damage to the front of the car.

The car then drove off.

Police are now appealing to anyone who has information that will help identify the driver of the car to come forward, and have released CCTV footage of the incident.

Detective Constable Dave Berry, of north Manchester CID, said: "Anyone who views this footage will be in disbelief that no-one was seriously injured or even worse, killed.

"The car was driven at high speed and can only have been driven in such a way with the intention of hitting someone. Were it not for the street furniture being in the way, these pedestrians would surely have suffered very serious harm and could easily have been fatally hurt.

"It is an act of outrageous recklessness and we need to catch the offenders.

"It is unclear what the motive was or what happened when the driver spoke to the pedestrians moments beforehand. That is why we are asking anyone with information to come forward.

"I would also appeal to anyone who might have seen a Ford Focus parked up on a nearby driveway on their street with extensive damage to the front to come forward. This car took a serious bump and it would be unmistakeable.

"Also, I would ask that if any garages recently repaired a similar car with such extensive front damage, that they too call us as this information could be crucial to locating the driver."

Anyone with information should call police on either 0161 856 3914, 0161 856 3690 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• car crime
• appeal
• manchester
• cctv
• gmp
• Greater Manchester Police
• Driving into crowd
• Manchester car CCTV
• Southmill Street
• Lucky Escape
• UK Police Appeal
• British Police Appeal
• Ford crash
• City Centre Manchester
• Car crashes into crowd
• Car crime in Manchester
• Drive
• Dangerous Driving