Six PSNI officers were injured as three police vehicles were hit by a car in a chase through Co Down, it emerged today.
Five people were arrested when the Rover car was eventually halted in Ballynahinch.
The pursuit began last night when a police patrol alerted to the car driving erratically between Crossgar and Saintfield tried to stop it.
The driver ignored the signal on the Belfast Road, striking a gatepost as the car headed for Ballynahinch.
It collided with the front of a PSNI vehicle but, damaged and with a burst tyre, the Rover still drove off.
Two more police cars called in to help were hit as another attempt to halt it was made 10 miles away on the Glenview Road, Ballynahinch.
It is believed all six officers suffered bruising and shock. One of the five arrested for a number of motoring offences was charged and is due to appear at Downpatrick Magistrates Court later this month.
The other four were released on police bail as inquiries continued.