Eight teenagers have been charged following a police chase covering more than 20-miles across Fife and Perthshire.
Officers received a report of a car being stolen in the Cowdenbeath area shortly after 2am on Saturday. Cops say they then saw the car in nearby Kelty and, when signalled, it failed to stop.
A pursuit took place and the car stopped some 22-miles away on Brandywell Road, Abernethy. The Police Scotland Dogs unit was called to assist as two handlers set up a “pincer” movement and tracked the youngsters through nearby woods.
All eight occupants – who were aged between 14 and 18 – were traced and said to be uninjured. Two 15-year-old male youths were charged in connection with theft and road traffic offences. The other six occupants were charged in connection with the theft.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 2.05am on Saturday, January 18, 2025, we received a report of a car stolen in Cowdenbeath. Around 3.15am, officers saw the car in Kelty and it failed to stop for officers when signalled. A vehicle pursuit took place and the car stopped in Brandywell Road, Abernethy.
“The eight occupants, aged between 14-18, were uninjured. Two 15-year-old male youths were charged in connection with theft and road traffic offences. The other six occupants were charged in connection with the theft. A report will be sent to the relevant authorities.”
The dog unit hailed K-9s Stig and Xander for their assistance during the incident. A spokesperson said: “When Fife Road Police pursued a stolen car to Abernethy, Stig and Xander were close behind. The car was abandoned and eight ran off into the dark. Working as a team, both handlers set up a ‘pincer’ movement and tracked through woods and traced all eight. Great work!”
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