POLICE have been ordered to limit their speed in chases and emergency callouts to avoid issues with their high-powered BMWs.

       The move has angered response cops who say the slowdown will “hand the keys to the criminals”.

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       Police have been ordered to limit their speed in chases and emergency callouts

       Whistle-blowers say gun and traffic officers using affected Beemers — those with N57 engines — cannot exceed the speed limit of the road they are on by more than 20mph.

       It means that even in a high-speed pursuit on a motorway, they cannot go above 90mph.

       Police drivers across Britain risk the sack if they break the rule.

       One told The Sun: “We may as well give up the day job.

       "Every second counts in an emergency.

       "It beggars belief that these cars are still in use.”

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       The directive comes after PC Nick Dumphreys, 47, died when his BMW burst into flames on a 999 call in Cumbria in 2020.

       At least two more fires have been reported since.

       The National Police Chiefs Council said “urgent steps are being taken to address an issue with some older vehicles”.

       BMW said the issue is “associated with the particular way” police operate the vehicles, adding: “There is no need for action on any civilian vehicles.”

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