A POLICE pursuit through Woodbury took place on Friday lunchtime after reports two men were breaking into a van at Sidmouth.

A POLICE pursuit through Woodbury took place on Friday lunchtime after reports two men were breaking into a van at Sidmouth.

The suspects were spotted near Jacobs Ladder Beach, in Sidmouth, at around 1.40pm and were seen to get into another van and drive off towards Exmouth.

The police were called and located the van within 10 minutes, travelling along the Budleigh Road.

The police said the vehicle failed to stop as directed by officers.

Pursuit-trained officers were authorised to follow the vehicle and the police helicopter was tasked to monitor the pursuit from Middlemoor Police HQ.

Officers said the occupants got out of the van and tried to make off on foot before being stopped.

One man suffered a hand injury and was taken to hospital for treatment.

A Devon and Cornwall police spokesperson said: "During the pursuit a chainsaw was thrown from the vehicle, landing in the road.

"The pursuit went though to Woodbury and on to Moor Lane, Sowton, Exeter, where the van ended up rolling on to its side.

"At some point during the pursuit the vehicle was involved in a collision with a police vehicle."

* The police made two arrests on suspicion of theft.