The police were forced to use a stinger device when a bus was stolen from Exmouth bus station. The vehicle’s tyres were punctured, bringing it to a safe stop, close to the M5 motorway.

A police chase ended with officers forced to stinger device when a bus was stolen from the town’s depot on Thursday evening.

Officers were called to the bus station, on Marine Way, at around 10.50pm after reports a vehicle was stolen.

A police pursuit was authorised after the single-decker refused to stop when requested by officers.

The bus was followed out of the town and along the Exeter Road until officers deployed a stinger device – deflating the vehicle’s tyres – bringing it to a safe stop on the on-slip to the south-bound M5 at around 11.10pm.

The police said no one was hurt in the incident.

A Devon and Cornwall police spokesman said: “The bus in question was damaged, as was a second bus in the bus station.

“There is no estimated cost at this time.”

• The police said a 24-year-old Exeter man has been arrested on suspicion of theft and drink driving and a 23-year-old Exmouth man was also arrested on suspicion of theft.

They remain in custody at Exeter and there are currently no charges.