POLICE today appealed for witnesses to an incident where a car followed an ambulance answering an emergency call in Oxfordshire.

The ambulance was called from its base in Reading town centre to Henley and travelled via Caversham.

As it got to the junction of Henley Road with Caversham Park Road the ambulance crew became aware that they were being followed by a black sports type vehicle, possibly a Mazda MX-5, close behind.

This car is believed to have followed the ambulance on the wrong side of the road, through a red traffic light in Henley Road and through the middle of traffic that had parted as the ambulance approached the roundabout with the junction with Playhatch Road.

As the ambulance entered the outskirts of Henley it continued to overtake traffic which had slowed for it and also overtook a lorry coming the other way which left room for it to pass.

However, there was not enough space for the car to complete the same manoeuvre and it got stuck in traffic.

The incident happened at about 5pm on April 8.

PC Steve Dowding, of the Three Mile Cross Roads Policing base, said: "I know this incident happened some time ago, but I'm sure that people travelling in this area would be able to recall what happened as it is very unusual for a car to follow an ambulance in this way.

"Not only was the driver endangering himself and other road users but if a collision had occurred the ambulance may not have been able to complete its emergency commitment.

"The driver would have had to complete some dangerous moves to keep close to the ambulance and I'm sure there are witnesses who can help us with our inquiry."

Anyone with any information should contact PC Dowding via 0845 8 505 505.

Alternatively, please call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.