Pair arrested after stolen van crashes into cars, walls and telephone pole in Blackpool

The stolen van was involved in two hit-and-runs in the early morning hours, say police, with the driver and passenger fleeing from the second wreck on foot before being caught by officers.

The first crash happened in the Beechfield Avenue cul-de-sac, between Whitegate Drive and Stanley Park, where the driver crashed into the wall of a home before smashing into a car parked nearby.

Police said the driver failed to stop and made off from the scene before crashing again just 30 minutes later. This time the driver took out a telephone pole before ramming into another wall two miles away in Clifton Road.

Police say the driver and his passenger then made off from the scene again, this time on foot, but were soon tracked down by officers.

Both men have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking and drug and drink driving. Police said neither men held licences.

They remain in custody this morning.

A police spokesman said: "Team 4 response officers have last night responded to two collisions involving this van.

"The first occasion was on Beechfield Avenue, Blackpool where the van hit a wall and a parked car and then made off from the scene.

"Half an hour later the van has lost control on Clifton Road, took out a telephone pole and crashed into a wall.

"The people have then made off from the scene however were located by officers and have been arrested for aggravated vehicle taking and drug and drink driving.

"Neither hold a driving licence.

"Two in the cells awaiting interview."

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