THREE people have been arrested after an early morning chase resulted in police discovering suspected stolen cars - one of which was attempting to travel the wrong way onto the A19.

Cleveland and Durham's Road Policing Unit discovered three stolen Ford Fiestas all attempting to leave Hartlepool containing suspected travelling criminals.

Writing on their Facebook page, a spokesperson for the unit said one of the vehicles  lost control and crashed while the other two vehicles had their front tyres stung and limped to a stop, with one of the vehicle's going the wrong way onto the A19.

This vehicle was stopped by an unmarked vehicle, and the driver was detained after a short foot chase and with the assistance of police dogs.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of theft of motor vehicle, drink driving, drug driving, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, no insurance and no licence.