Kerre Woodham: Sssh, got you!

Photo / Dean Purcell

Just a brief note on police car chases, as I've previously written a column on the subject.

The most sensible comment I heard on ways that car chases could be improved came from a crim. He told me that back in the day, when he used to steal cars, the moment he heard the siren and saw the lights flashing in the rear view mirror, it was game on.

His heart would start to pound, his mouth would go dry, and the adrenaline would surge through his body.

And he knew, in the police car, the driver was going through exactly the same physiological reaction.

The copper had thrown down the gauntlet and the chase would not end until there was a winner and a loser. There was no room for compromise and no room for negotiation.

How about, he said, police officers radioing ahead and setting an ambush for the offender without letting the driver know he'd been spotted?

Get the word that the spikes were in place or the roadblock was set up, then put the lights on.

As far as I'm concerned, once you steal a car and take on the cops, you deserve everything you get. But when innocent motorists are caught in the fallout then I accept we have to try to minimise risk.

So how about the ex-con's idea?

Softly, softly - and then bang the buggers up.

* www.kerrewoodham.com