THE tyres of a police vehicle were slashed in Newton-le-Willows on Sunday night (May 20).

It had been waiting to recover stolen vehicles which had been recovered earlier in the evening by officers, including two bikes whose riders had goaded police before fleeing.

In total, three vehicles were seized in the Bradlegh Road area, which included a suspected stolen Land Rover.

While waiting for recovery, officers say riders of two vehicles (pictured) came and "goaded the patrol waiting with the vehicle".

The scrambler bike and quad bike were later spotted parked up, the riders having fled on foot leaving them behind.

Officers say the scrambler bike was stolen in December and the quad had no insurance.

St Helens Police said that the tyres of the unattended police vehicle which was waiting to recover the stolen vehicles, were then slashed, resulting in a "doubly crewed vehicle" being taken off the road.