Worthing police chase: Two arrests made after car crashes

Officers were called to intercept the silver BMW in Worthing at 5pm today after it failed to stop.

Several patrol cars were involved in the chase, the BMW hit several other vehicles before losing control and crashing into a garden wall.

Police said three people were injured in the incident, and a police officer on foot was also hurt when he was struck by a passing van.

One passenger, a 30-year-old from Worthing, was arrested , while a 37-year-old from Hove was Tasered and taken to hospital under police guard.

Both were arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking.

A resident who lives nearby said: "My son lives in The Boulevard in Worthing, and said police had pulled over a car just outside his home.

"They tried to stop the driver, but this guy just drove off again. He lost control by the roundabout, hit another car and spun out of control.

He crashed his car, then off he went. He ran off through people’s back gardens and past the houses. He jumped over a neighbours’ fence in Frobisher Close and disappeared.

This is a quiet close, so we don't expect things like this to happen, especially in broad daylight

"Police were around and out searching. One of my neighbours checked CCTV and saw this chap jump into bushes and stay hidden two doors down.

"He said to the police ‘that’s where he may be’ and a short while later he was spotted in the bushes. 

"The police swarmed on a man and arrested him."

Read more on The Argus:

• Five arrests over attempted arson and 'threats to kill'
• Plans to demolish supermarket to make way for student flats
• Shock at sudden death of dedicated councillor known as a 'gentle giant'

At the scene of the crash it appeared that the BMW narrowly missed an electricity point. 

Sussex Police confirmed that two men were arrested over the incident.

The resident added: "One of my neighbours was quite shaken by it, the guy ended up in their back garden at one point and was trying the back door and the conservatory door, but couldn’t get in, so went round the house.

"There are some elderly people here so we have been round to reassure them.

"This is not something you experience every day. It is a quiet close, so we don’t expect things like this to happen, especially in broad daylight."

Sussex Police said: "Two men have been arrested following a short police pursuit in Worthing.

"Officers on patrol in The Boulevard became aware of a vehicle of interest, which failed to stop, about 5pm on Saturday 25 July.

"A pursuit ensued, during which the grey BMW collided with a number of other vehicles, resulting in minor injuries to three members of the public.

"It then crashed in Palatine Road, where the sole passenger, a 30-year-old man from Worthing, was detained and arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking. He remains in custody.

"The driver, identified as a 37-year-old man from Hove, decamped and made off from the scene, but was located in Frobisher Close a short time later.

"A Taser was deployed to safely detain and arrest him, and he has been taken to hospital as a precaution, under police supervision.

"A police officer on foot was struck by a van as he searched for the suspect, and sustained minor injuries. He has also been taken to hospital as a precaution.

"A section of Palatine Road has been temporarily closed as enquiries continue. We’d like to thank the public for their patience and understanding at this time."