'Hot Fuzz' as police van catches fire with prisoner inside

AN arrest took an unexpected and dramatic turn when the police van carrying the suspect caught fire in a Calmore street.

The vehicle began to fill with smoke moments after officers had put the man in the van in Calmore Drive last Thursday after detaining him on suspicion of breaching a restraining order.

The prisoner and the two officers were evacuated, and the officers quickly extinguished the blaze. No one was injured.

A Hampshire police spokesperson said the cause of the incident was still unknown. The fire service was informed of the incident, but its attendance was not needed.

The public was told about the incident that evening in light-hearted posts by the police on social media.

“What an evening,” the posts said. “Male arrested for breach of restraining order in Calmore. En route to custody, and the van catches fire!

“Everyone safe, no injuries, prisoner secured. Any longer and the officers could have been #SmokyBacon #VeryHotFuzz.”