POLICE have launched a new campaign to clamp down on motorists hogging the middle lanes of Lancashire's motorways. Reporter CAROLINE INNES went on patrol to investigate but the afternoon turned to high drama when they ended up chasing a suspected stolen car...

THE red Volvo estate looked like any other vehicle to motorists using the M65 motorway yesterday afternoon

Unfortunately for the driver who moved up behind it in the fast lane, headlights flashing to trying to force it out of the way, it was an unmarked police car.

Travelling down the motorway, pointing out the dangers of lane hogging and under-taking Inspector Phil Cottam and Sergeant Bev Saycell had expected an incident-free afternoon.

However, the driver of an X-reg maroon Renault Clio changed all that when he started to tailgate us. Police claimed he was travelling at around 90mph.

As we followed the car, Insp Cottam, said: "The police Volvo, though un-marked is equipped with flashing lights and as both officers in the vehicle are in uniform the motorist should pull over, where we can then discuss their driving with them, issue them with a warning or, if appropriate, a penalty."

The officers pulled along side the car and gestured to the driver to pull over.

A registration check then confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen from Liverpool.

As the pursuit continued, Sgt Saycell, said: "An un-marked police car cannot give chase to stolen vehicles as the risk to other road users is too great.

"We have had to call for back-up, which the force incident manager, who then co-ordinates to make sure there are officers covering any possible exits from the motorway that the driver may take."

We continued to follow the car from the M65 on to the M6, at a safe distance but, within minutes a marked police Land Rover was with us and the force helicopter had been scrambled to take over the pursuit. The officers were in constant contact with other vehicles, relaying their position on the motorway every few seconds.

It stopped near to Lancaster and a man was arrested.

Officers said that "lane discipline" incidents such as flashing other drivers and hogging lanes can cause congestion, road rage and life threatening accidents.

That is the message they hope to get across with the new scheme - which involves roadside warning signs and message boards on police vehicles to prevent motorists hogging the middle lane.

The Highways Agency is testing driver reaction to the messages as part of a campaign to reduce accidents.

Insp Cottam said: "The Highway Code states that you should keep to the left unless you are overtaking. Hogging the middle lane causes a great deal of frustration for other drivers. But it is not the only problem on our motorways.

"The second highest number of road traffic offence cautions is for lane hogging. I travel the M65 every day and it is a particularly difficult motorway to negotiate. Hopefully, this campaign will ease some of its problems and make it safer."