Bungling police officers borrowed bikes from members of the public to chase a fugitive and he still got away.

The suspect - wanted for a recall to prison - was spotted cycling swigging whiskey from a bottle near a river.

He failed to stop for the police and carried on peddling away.

Five officers in police cars stopped and four commandeered four bicycles and e-bikes from civilians.

They all gave chase on two wheels while one waited by the squad cars but he gave them the slip.

But after a failed pursuit, the officers did find a bottle of whiskey he dropped.

The cops returned the bikes and let the members of the public sit in the marked police car to say thanks.

The bizarre cop chase happened in Earlsfield, south west London on Easter Sunday (April 9).

Eye-witness Gareth Keane, 34, said: “I was walking with some friends when we heard a lot of police sirens.

“I turned around to see a man, white, late 30s, dishevelled looking very casually cycling with tow police cars in slow pursuit over a small bridge on the River Wandle.

“He was swigging a bottle and deftly made his way through the kissing gates and screamed ‘F***ing p*ssies’ to the police before continuing down the lane and out of sight.

“All of the police disembarked their vehicles and one by one began commandeering civilians’ e-bikes and bicycles in pursuit of him.

“We carried on walking down the river and saw an abandoned e-bike that potentially belonged to the suspect, along with a nearly empty bottle.

“There was a police officer standing by an exit from the river path speaking on their walkie-talkie.

“Eventually another two police officers came back down the river path to where the exit was.

“We made our way down the lane to see a discarded bottle and eventually several forlorn looking police slowly making their way back to their vehicles with no suspect apprehended.

“It seemed like they lost the suspect and perhaps they got away out the exit to the housing estate beside the river.”

A Met Police spokesperson said: “On Sunday 9 April, officers attempted to stop a man cycling along Penwith Road, SW18 after he was identified as being wanted on recall to prison.

“The suspect evaded officers and continued to cycle along Summerly Street and Trewint Street, before turning right into Garratt Lane, failing to stop for police.

“Officers left the marked vehicle and attempted to chase the suspect on foot.

“Due to the quick thinking of those involved and helpful members of the public, the officers managed to use their bikes in an attempt to catch the suspect.”

The spokesperson added: “During the pursuit, a bottle of whiskey was dropped and recovered by officers at the scene.

“The man made off and officers were unable to locate him.

“Enquiries are ongoing to trace him.

“The bikes were returned to the members of the public and they were both driven to their intended destination.

“As a thanks for their help, they received an opportunity to sit in the front seat of the marked car, and were grateful for the work of local officers.”

Bungling cops borrowed bikes from members of the public to chase a fugitive and he still got away.

The suspect - wanted for a recall to prison - was spotted cycling swigging whiskey from a bottle near a river.

He failed to stop for the police and carried on peddling away.

Five officers in police cars stopped and four commandeered four bicycles and ebikes from civilians.

They all gave chase on two wheels while one waited by the squad cars but he gave them the slip.

But after a failed pursuit, the officers did find a bottle of whiskey he dropped.

The cops returned the bikes and let the members of the public sit in the marked police car to say thanks.

The bizarre cop chase happened in Earlsfield, south west London on Easter Sunday (9 April).

Eye-witness Gareth Keane, 34, said “I was walking with some friends when we heard a lot of police sirens.

“I turned around to see a man, white, late 30s, dishevelled looking very casually cycling with tow police cars in slow pursuit over a small bridge on the River Wandle.

“He was swigging a bottle and deftly made his way through the kissing gates and screamed ‘F*cking p*ssies’ to the police before continuing down the lane and out of sight.

“All of the police disembarked their vehicles and one by one began commandeering civilians’ ebikes and bicycles in pursuit of him.

“We carried on walking down the river and saw an abandoned ebike that potentially belonged to the suspect, along with a nearly empty bottle.

“There was a police officer standing by an exit from the river path speaking on their walkie talkie.

“Eventually another two police officers came back down the river path to where the exit was.

“We made our way down the lane to see a discarded bottle and eventually several forlorn looking police slowly making their way back to their vehicles with no suspect apprehended.

“It seemed like they lost the suspect and perhaps they got away out the exit to the housing estate beside the river.”

A Met Police spokesperson said: “On Sunday 9 April, officers attempted to stop a man cycling along Penwith Road, SW18 after he was identified as being wanted on recall to prison.

“The suspect evaded officers and continued to cycle along Summerly Street and Trewint Street, before turning right into Garratt Lane, failing to stop for police.

“Officers left the marked vehicle and attempted to chase the suspect on foot.

“Due to the quick thinking of those involved and helpful members of the public, the officers managed to use their bikes in an attempt to catch the suspect.”

The spokesperson added: “During the pursuit, a bottle of whiskey was dropped and recovered by officers at the scene.

“The man made off and officers were unable to locate him.

“Enquiries are ongoing to trace him.

“The bikes were returned to the members of the public and they were both driven to their intended destination.

“As a thanks for their help, they received an opportunity to sit in the front seat of the marked car, and were grateful for the work of local officers.”

ENDS

EDITOR'S NOTE: Video Usage Licence: (EXCLUSIVE) We have obtained an exclusive licence from the copyright holder. A copy of the licence is available on request.

Video Restrictions: None.