POLICE chased a van around Brierfield for about 20 minutes before it crashed into a patrol car.

Officers tried to stop the Ford Transit in Railway Street at around 9pm on Saturday for a routine spot check.

But when it failed to stop, more patrols, as well as the police helicopter, were called into action.

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The vehicle, which police said they believed was stolen, was eventually stopped when a stinger was put down in Colne Road.

The Transit finally came to a halt when it collided with a police car which had stopped in Chapel Street.

Insp Andy Winter said: “It all started as a normal stop check but when officers got behind the vehicle, it failed to stop.

“It drove around the streets, refusing to stop and then after about 20 minutes, with the use of a stinger, it was brought to a stop.

“As it did, it collided with a stationary police vehicle.”

It is understood nobody was injured in the operation.

Firefighters were called to make sure the scene was safe.

Posting on Clarets Mad, a witness said: “I was just coming home from work and about to leave the M65 and a police car hurtled past with lights on. He was parked up in Colne Road. It looked like he had a stinger in his hand.

“Further on, nearer the town centre, I was greeted with dozens of blue flashing lights. It looked like a very, very major incident.

“The helicopter was also overhead.”

Councillor Mohammad Hanif, who represents the Reedley ward, said that following the crash, residents went out into the street to see what had happened.

He added: “It is terrible. Somebody could have been killed or a police officer could have been severely injured.”

A 33-year-old local man was arrested nearby on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while disqualified and being in possession of a class A drug.

He was in police custody and was being questioned by officers yesterday.