Three teenagers and a young man have been praised by police after they helped to catch a drink driver.
The four, two aged 16, one aged 17 and a 22-year-old showed “excellent courage and personal self-control” when they detained a violent drink driver in Leeming Bar.
The incident happened on the evening of Saturday, June 29.
The four, all from Northallerton, attempted to stop a suspected drunk woman from driving when leaving a pub in Northallerton.
The woman managed to drive away and the four lads followed at a safe distance and called 999, giving updates while officers were dispatched.
The vehicle swerved, clipped kerbs, and narrowly missed colliding with other road users.
The woman eventually stopped in Leeming Bar, and the quick-thinking young men attempted to take away the keys, but she again tried to drive away while they were leaning inside the car trying to turn off the ignition, placing themselves in harm’s way to protect members of the public.
Working together, they managed to get the woman out of the car and detained her while waiting for the police.
Police say that during the incident all four of the young men were violently assaulted and sustained minor injuries as the driver attempted to get away.
A police officer was also bitten on his leg during the arrest.
The driver was arrested and taken to custody.
PC Jack Holliday said the four displayed enormous discipline, sense of service, and selfless commitment.
“On behalf of North Yorkshire Police, we would like the express our thanks. Teenagers and young people often get a bad reputation in communities, and these individuals will be the first to tell you they are no angels. On this occasion, they placed themselves in harm’s way to protect others.
“Well done, excellent work, they should be proud of themselves.”
The woman has since been charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis and assault an emergency worker.
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