The police car overtook a number of vehicles as it zipped along the road from Mo to Ytteren in northern Norway shortly after 9pm on Friday, newspaper Ranablad reports.

Curious onlookers were dumbfounded however when the squad car peeled off into the local Esso station after reaching the roundabout at Ytteren.

Two officers were spotted clambering out of the car and sauntering into the store. One of them was then observed clutching two fizzy drink bottles before the car accelerated away, again with its sirens wailing and lights flashing.

Roald Bjerkadal, head of the Mo police station, revealed that the thirsty officers had also made sure to grab a bite to eat.  

“We were about to crack a narcotics case, and the operations centre requested a patrol to quickly make its way to a built-up area 30 or 40 kilometres outside Mo in Rana,” he told newspaper VG.

“It was in connection with this that the police officers stopped and bought food and drink because they thought the operation might take a while,” said Bjerkadal.

While their superiors had since told them off over the incident, the officers did not break any formal rules and will not be formally reprimanded, Bjerkadal said, adding that it "shouldn't have happened".

“To the general public, it might look stupid and in that sense it’s unfortunate. It affects people’s trust in us when we ask for a clear route.”

But despite the snack break, Bjerkadal was pleased to note that the operation had otherwise gone as planned.