A STOLEN car sparked a police chase and a number of crashes during rush hour yesterday afternoon.

At about 5.30pm a Ford Fiesta that had previously been reported stolen was spotted on the A30 heading towards Salisbury.

Police attempted to stop the car on St Mark's roundabout, but it failed to stop and a police pursuit was authorised.

The drivers continued into heavy traffic, mounting pavements and colliding with a number of other vehicles that were queueing in traffic.

The car was later found abandoned in Wilton Road and recovered for CSI.

After police carried out area searches, an 18-year-old Hampshire woman and 26-year-old Dorset man were found and arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, failing to stop, dangerous driving and breach of a harassment order.

They remain in police custody.

Sergeant Tracey Holloway said: “This vehicle was driven extremely dangerously at the height of rush hour and I am aware that a number of vehicles belonging to members of the public sustained damage as a result – if this was you and you haven’t yet made contact with police, please do so.

“We would appeal to anyone who was in the area of St Mark’s roundabout yesterday at approximately 5.30pm who may have dash-cam footage, to get in touch.”

Please call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.