Driver escapes at high speed

A fleeing driver reached speeds of 120km/h in residential Mount Maunganui and Papamoa while being chased by police.

Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders said the driver of a dark green Ford Telstar failed to stop for police at 10.40pm on Friday, and led them in a pursuit along several streets in the two suburbs.

The pursuit started after the driver failed to stop for a routine breath test.

"The vehicle reached speeds of 120km/h in a 60km/h zone then about six minutes later police abandoned the pursuit to find the vehicle," Mr Saunders said.

The incident was one of two police pursuits in the past week where police were forced to abandon the chase because it became too dangerous.

Police had not managed to locate the car involved in the latest pursuit.

Mr Saunders asked anyone who saw the car in or around Mount Maunganui or Papamoa at the time of the chase to contact police.

He said the risk of fleeing police when asked to stop was "not worth it".

"Anytime when someone flees from police at speed, then obviously there's risks of outcomes that are not desired by either party.

"The only real option is to stop. That is the safest thing to do."