THE police helicopter was called into action overnight as three men led officers on a dangerous chase before abandoning their vehicle.

All of the men were later found and arrested thanks to the hard work of officers on the ground, eyes in the sky and Police Dog Bodie – the force’s newest canine recruit.

The car the men were travelling in first made off from officers in Leyland, when a request was made for the vehicle to pull over.

A spokesman said: “Whilst you were sleeping new kid on the block PD Bodie caught his first two suspects.

“Officers sighted a suspicious vehicle in Leyland which then makes off. Following a short pursuit, the car is abandoned and three run off.

“Tactical operations officers catch one immediately.

“PD Bodie arrives along with helicopter who glimpse a small heat source which Bodie is already tracking towards.  

“Bodie locates second male doing his best to try and hide in the trees.

“Eyes in the sky couldn’t detect the third male but Bodie’s snout could - and tracked to a parked van underneath which number three was located.

“Checks on their car revealed it was an outstanding stolen from 2020.”