A police pursuit through Witham ended with a van crashing into a lamp post and two suspects being arrested.

The white Ford transit van was reported stolen from an address in Witham on July 14 and activated an Automatic Number Plate Recognition camera shortly after midnight last night, sparking the pursuit.

The van failed to stop for police and then crashed into the lamp post at the junction between Cypress Road and Braintree Road.

A police spokesman said a 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy then escaped from the van and with the assistance of the helicopter were arrested near to Cypress Road. 

The suspects, both from Harlow, were arrested for theft of motor vehicle, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police and were taken to Braintree police station.