A DRIVER who appeared to take inspiration from emergency services ended up having their car seized after running a red light while police rushed to a top-priority incident.

Just after midnight on May 30, officers from Dorset Police’s Purple Team Response were travelling to a Grade 1 emergency call using blue lights and sirens when they spotted a blue Ford Focus drive through a red traffic light.

Police said the driver seemed unwilling to wait as officers made their emergency response, but the decision quickly backfired.

After catching up with the vehicle a short distance away, officers discovered the car had no MOT, no insurance and no road tax, in addition to the alleged traffic light offence.

The Ford Focus was subsequently seized under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act and taken to a vehicle pound.

The owner will now need to provide valid insurance documents before it can be released.

Police used the incident to remind motorists that emergency service drivers have legal exemptions when responding to incidents, but members of the public do not.

Officers with specialist training are permitted, where safe and appropriate, to exceed speed limits or pass through red lights during emergency responses.

Police stressed that motorists must not drive through red lights, even when an emergency vehicle is approaching from behind on blue lights.

The force also urged drivers to regularly check they have the correct insurance, tax and MOT in place before getting behind the wheel.

An investigation into the alleged traffic offences is ongoing.