Dramatic dash-cam footage has been released showing the moment police officers stopped a reckless driver by pinning his car against a tree in a tactical shunt.

Atif Ayub, 25, from Belchers Lane in Ward End, led officers through Birmingham on a six-minute pursuit reaching speeds in excess of 80mph, West Midlands Police said.

A specially trained driver deliberately collided with the side of Ayub’s Seat Leon as he took a turn that would have seen him heading into on-coming traffic on Lawley Middleway.

Police said this controlled approved tactical manoeuvre enables them to bring reckless drivers to a stop if they pose a danger to other road users or pedestrians.

Ayub had made off from a patrol unit in Saltley before Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) officers intercepted him in Fort Parkway at around 3.45pm on January 17.

He raced away and jumped several red lights before police colleagues “stung” his car and he was brought to a stop.

Ayub was arrested at the scene on suspicion of dangerous driving.

Police said he went on to admit that charge, plus driving without a licence or insurance, and on Monday at Birmingham Crown Court he was jailed for 12 months.

The force said he has also been disqualified from driving for four and a half years and must pass an extended re-test if he wants to get his licence back.

Sergeant Lee Froggatt from CMPG said: “Officers have used their specialist training and tactics to bring a reckless driver to a safe stop and prevent other road users being harmed.

“When Ayub headed the wrong way into Lawley Middleway the risk level increased.

“But the officers quickly spotted the road was clear and took Ayub’s Leon out before he could pose a danger to anyone else.

“This is an excellent example of an appropriate and proportionate use of tactical contact to bring a pursuit of a dangerous driver to an end.”