A TEENAGE driver was clocked driving at almost three times the speed limit through a village in an incident police say could have had ‘catastrophic consequences’.

An 18-year-old tore through Wroughton at 89mph on a 30mph stretch of Swindon Road just before midnight on Friday and failed to stop when traffic cops, out on a routine speed check, flagged him down.

Later officers managed to trace the teen, who was driving a red Ford Fiesta, to Wanborough and arrested him on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to stop before releasing him on bail pending further inquiries.

Sergeant Barrie Card, of the Roads Policing Unit at Wiltshire Police headquarters, in Devizes, said it was fortunate no other motorists or pedestrians were hurt in the incident.

He said: “It would not be ordinary to appeal for witnesses to a case of excess speed but this is quite an exceptional case.

“It is by far the highest speed I have ever recorded in a 30mph limit in a built-up area.

“The potential for catastrophic consequence to such a blatant disregard to the speed limit was very real.

“At around 11.50pm on Friday, Wiltshire Roads Policing Unit conducted roadside speed checks with a handheld laser device along Swindon Road, in Wroughton, within the 30mph speed limit.

“A red Ford Fiesta was recorded travelling at 89 miles per hour and when officers attempted to stop the car it failed to do so.

“Later that night an 18-year-old male from the Wanborough area was arrested for dangerous driving and failure to stop.

“Travelling at such incredible speed is clearly very dangerous, would give the driver no time to react if a pedestrian were to walk into the road and at that time there were pedestrians walking home to Wrougton from Old Town .

“I would like to appeal for anyone who was in the car at the time or anyone who knows the driver to contact me. I would like the help of those with the driver that night or that know him so we can bring him to justice and make the roads of Wiltshire a safer place.”

Anyone with any information should contact Sgt Card on Wiltshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously if preferred, on 0800 555 111.