BUNGLING cops took out seven innocent motorists with a stinger.
Officers laid the device — designed to puncture tyres — on a busy A-road to stop a “suspect vehicle”.
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Officers laid the device — designed to puncture tyres — on a busy A-road to stop a 'suspect vehicle' Credit: Alamy
But two HGVs rushing past sent the toothed trap into the path of other drivers — blowing the tyres on their cars and forcing them to a dramatic halt.
Witnesses reported seeing seven cars smashed up at the side of the road.
Locals in Newmarket, Suffolk, poked fun at the farce on social media.
One Facebook user joked: “Whoops. Did you catch the baddy though?”
Another commented: “Doh!!! That’s going to cost!! Hope all owners of vehicles are OK and sue the hell out of the police.”
A third wag added: “Who’s responsible for risk management and public safety there?”
Police have “sincerely apologised” for the incident, at the A14 junction with the A142.
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A spokesman said no one involved was injured and an investigation to find out what had happened was under way.