Police car forced underage moped rider into ditch in Tuusula

A police car forced an underage moped rider off the road and into a ditch during a chase in Tuusula on Saturday, Yle reports. The rider was not in life-threatening danger, according to the police.

Footage recorded by a camera attached to the rider’s helmet shows a large group of moped riders travelling along a road and occupying two lanes. At least one moped car is also visible. The group stops at traffic lights before the video later focuses on two riders.

The rider appears to look back at an unmarked police car and accelerates. The police car then moves alongside the moped, accelerates sharply ahead and turns towards the edge of the road and the ditch. The side of the police car hits the moped, sending it into the ditch and towards a fence.

The video ends with the camera showing the roadside and vegetation before the movement stops. Three young people later appear to examine what happened.

Several other videos from the incident have also circulated. They show that dozens of people witnessed the events, and one recording shows police handcuffing a young man sitting in the back seat of a police car.

The police department in Eastern Uusimaa confirmed to Yle on Saturday that it had been involved in the chase. Helsinki Police said a prosecutor is investigating the police conduct. Police did not comment further.

The reason for the chase is not yet known.