POLICE dealt with several nuisance drivers across the borough as the weekend - including a hapless suspect who left his phone for officers to ring "mum."

Greater Manchester Police were out on the streets dealing with a variety of offences, including stolen cars, uninsured vehicles and those involved in burglaries.

On Friday, patrols stopped a Ford Transit van just off Buckley Lane in Farnworth.

Upon further inspection, it was found to have an expired insurance policy from May.

A Traffic Offence Report was issued and the vehicle was insured at the roadside.

Later, a Nissan Juke was found that had been involved in a series of disturbances in Little Hulton over the previous week.

It was pursued by a patrol into Walkden, where it took to the footpaths to evade officers.

The car was later found abandoned in Seddon Street and discovered to be stolen and on false plates, where it was seized for forensic examination.

Another vehicle suspected to have been involved in burglaries at Lidl and Aldi stores in Golborne and Ashton in Makerfield was seized by officers. Specialist teams are are set to perform forensic examination on the vehicle.

Late on Saturday night, a VW polo made off from officers in Lever Edge Lane. After being abandoned in Freshfield Avenue, two of the four occupants were detained, although the driver was able to escape.

However, despite the initial evasion, officers found that he had left his mobile phone in the car and officers were able to give a "quick call to 'mum'."

The driver's name was obtained and the car was seized.

Car offences have seen an increase over recent months.

Nearly half of people have witnessed an increase in drivers breaking the speed limit during the coronavirus lockdown, a new survey has indicated.

RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: “It would only take a fraction of a second when driving well over the speed limit for something terrible to happen.

“Couple this behaviour with the fact there are many cyclists on our roads and more people are having to walk in the road to maintain a safe distance from others on pavements, and you have a recipe for disaster.

“The last thing the NHS needs as it works night and day to help patients with coronavirus is to have to deal with people injured in avoidable road traffic collisions caused by motorists driving far too fast.”