A VAN has been damaged after it was followed by a car which then crashed into the vehicle. 

Police are appealing for witnesses following the incident in Gateshead. 

Shortly after 8.45am on Friday, police received a report that a blue flatbed type van had been followed by a black BMW as it travelled towards the A184.

The occupant of the BMW has then collided with the van at the traffic lights on the slip road of the A184 slip road at Whitemare pool and caused significant damage to the back window of the vehicle, before fleeing the scene.

No one was injured in the incident.

An investigation into the circumstances leading up to this incident is ongoing and two men, aged 32 and 31, and a 30-year-old woman have been arrested and remain in police custody at this time.

All parties involved are believed to be known to each other and there is no risk to the wider public at this time.

Detective Chief Inspector Sharon Chatterton from Northumbria Police's Crime department has now issued an urgent appeal for witnesses.

She said: "This took incident place on a busy road and we have already spoken to a number of witnesses but we are still keen to speak to anyone else who thinks they might have information, or dash cam footage from the area which can assist our enquiries.

"Thankfully the driver of the van was not injured in anyway and our officers remain in the local area to carry out their enquiries and reassurance patrols, and anyone with information is encouraged to speak with them as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of Northumbria Police website or by calling 101 quoting log 195 020421.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.