An investigation is underway after a police car was rammed during a chase along a major route near Bradford and Leeds.

Roads Policing Unit officers saw a suspicious vehicle in the Pudsey area at around 11.28am on Tuesday, April 2. 

The silver VW Touran failed to stop and rammed the police vehicle before driving on the wrong side of Stanningley Bypass.

Around 10 minutes later, a police helicopter was deployed to assist with a search of the area.

A crew at the National Police Air Service's Carr Gate base received the call at around 11.37am.

The Touran was found abandoned a short time later outside the Asda store in the car park of Owlcotes Shopping Centre.

It has since been recovered and enquiries are ongoing to identify the occupants, police said.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or saw the vehicle being abandoned is asked to contact officers via 101, quoting log 549 of April 2. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Police helicopter above the Swinnow area of Leeds on TuesdayPolice helicopter above the Swinnow area of Leeds on Tuesday (Image: Newsquest)

The helicopter's total flying time was 25 minutes, NPAS confirmed.

Police statement in full

A spokesperson said: "At 11:28am today, Roads Policing Unit officers sighted a suspicious vehicle in the Pudsey area. 

"The silver VW Touran failed to stop and rammed the police vehicle before driving on the wrong side of Stanningley Bypass. 

"A National Police Air Service helicopter was deployed to assist with a search of the area. 

"The vehicle was found abandoned a short time later outside the Asda store in the car park of the Owlcotes Shopping Centre.

"It has been recovered and enquiries are ongoing to identify the occupants. 

"Anyone who witnessed the incident or saw the vehicle being abandoned is asked to contact officers via 101 quoting log 549 of April 2."