POLICE found a car abandoned in Middlesbrough last night with knives littered around it and a "strong smell of alcohol" inside.

Officers were made aware of a vehicle being driven erratically, both on and off-road, and after a short search found the car matching the description in the Grove Hill area.

The car smelled of alcohol and there were "a number of knives located in the front and back seats of the car". The registration plates had also been changed.

Middlesbrough's Neighbourhood Policing Team's Facebook page said: "The driver and the occupants of the car didn't hang around for a chat with our officers but inquiries are ongoing to identify and find them.

"An uninsured car being driven by an unlicensed driver under the influence of either drink or drugs is a deadly combination and it will not be tolerated by Cleveland Police.

"This one has been seized and is now off the road but we know there are others."

Anyone with information about cars being driven illegally are asked to call police on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.