A CAR involved in more than 20 "drive offs" narrowly missed hitting a police officer during a chase.

The VW Passat was spotted on Tonge Moor Road in Bolton before making off and nearly struck an officer, who managed to smash the windscreen as it headed towards the town centre.

It was later recovered in Great Lever.

A "drive off" is a term used for someone who fills their car with petrol at a petrol station, and then drives off without paying.