Harborough officers carry out the slowest police chase of all time after pursuing a stolen boat at just 4mph

Police carried out the most undramatic slow-speed chase of all time as they caught a stolen canal narrowboat near Market Harborough.

The five-strong police marine squad conducted the 13-mile waterborne pursuit at a breath-taking 4mph before executing the “hard stop” on the Grand Union Canal.

A man arrested at the scene has now been accused of stealing the craft following an “incident” at North Kilworth Marina on Saturday September 5.

The “career first” operation was led by Sgt Archer and carried out by both Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Police in a twin-force exercise.

Harborough police tweeted: “In a career first and following a 13-mile ‘follow’ we completed a hard stop on a stolen canal boat!

“The boarding party was led by Sgt Archer and saw a multi-force approach with Northants Police.

“The suspect party surrendered on sight, one male arrested, plus a boat ride for the teams.”

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: “A man has been charged with the theft of a narrowboat in Lutterworth.

“Ian Silman, 46, of Aldwych Avenue, Blackpool, is also charged with taking a conveyance without consent and causing criminal damage to the narrowboat.”

She added: “The charges relate to an incident in North Kilworth Marina on Saturday 5 September.

“Silman has been released on bail and is due to appear at Leicester magistrates’ court on 27 November.”