A HIGH speed car chase saw police speed through central Southend before pursuing suspects on foot.

Residents living along Victoria Avenue and Arnold Avenue in Southend saw police in pursuit of a silver Mercedes around 11.30pm on Thursday, after it is alleged the driver failed to stop for police.

This led to a high-speed chase through the city with the police helicopter and dog units called in to help. 

Two suspects later abandoned the Mercedes and fled on foot towards Southchurch Park.

Officers gave chase and stopped one man nearby while a police dog, PD Kaiser, tracked a second man attempting to hide.

Witness, Amy Oliver, said she was walking down Arnold Avenue when the cars “flew by” at high speed, just before she walked into the road.

She said: “I was on the road when they flew past, I was going to the shop and I heard the cars come flying down the road.

“It was two seconds before I stepped in to the road, then I saw a man get out the car and run, followed by a police officer.

“It was an experience unlike anything I have ever seen in my life, it was scary.

“You get to see the drama unfold, it was like watching a soap.”

A police spokesman said: “We made two arrests after a vehicle, a silver Mercedes, failed to stop for our officers in the area of Victoria Avenue, Southend.

“Following a short pursuit, with assistance from the National Police Air Service helicopter, two suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

“Officers gave chase and stopped them nearby."

The spokesman added: “A 24-year-old man, of no fixed address, remains in custody for questioning on suspicion of failing to stop when directed by a police officer and production of cannabis.

“A 29-year-old man, of no fixed address, remains in custody for questioning on suspicion of failing to stop when directed by a police officer.”