Stop that man! Surprised driver gives police officer a lift as he chases wanted suspect

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This is the moment a surprised driver gives a police officer a lift in his car as he chases a wanted suspect. 

Footage shows a woman driving in her car - with a passenger filming the clip - as the officer sprints along the side of the road in pursuit of his target, who appears to be wearing shorts and a rucksack.

As the suspect sprints clear of the cop, the laughing driver says: 'Is he going to make it? He's going to make it to the train station.'

The man crosses the busy road, narrowly missing cars, leaving the officer in his wake.

But shortly after they stop at a red light on the crossroads, the policeman can be seen clambering into the back seat.

He then opens the door and tells the driver to 'stop here' before jumping out of the car and resuming the chase on foot. 

They appear to be parked outside a large warehouse, right behind another police car.

Another officer can be seen running up to the warehouse to support the original cop. 

The stunned bystanders laugh in disbelief and say: 'I didn't know they were allowed to do that.' 

The filmer, who does not wish to be named, said she and her friend were driving home when they saw the chase unfold.

She added the officer entered the car as they passed by and directed them to follow the suspect.

The woman said: 'He opened the door and told us to follow the suspect.

'We thought he was coming over to tell us to stop filming, but instead he jumped in and we drove after the man until the officer told us to stop.'

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has been contacted for comment.