A SUSPECTED dangerous driver who rammed into a police car ended his night in a police cell, after he was chased down by police.

At about 9pm on Sunday, officers were on patrol in the Waterville Terrace area of North Shields when a black VW Golf travelling at speed hit the side of a police car, causing minor damage.

The driver made off from the scene, prompting a significant search which was assisted by the National Police Air Service.

The vehicle in question was later found abandoned in the Tiverton Close area of Wallsend.

Police were deployed to the area and within minutes a 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

Upon arrest, he was also found to be in possession of a quantity of Class A drugs.

The man has since been charged with a string of driving offences and is due at South Tyneside Magistrates Court later this year.

Chief Inspector Sam Rennison, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was a fantastic piece of teamwork between officers who were able to quickly apprehend a suspected dangerous driver.

“The driver of the Golf was clearly unwilling to stop at the scene after colliding with our marked police car – and his erratic behaviour posed a substantial risk to the public.

“Thankfully, after some excellent work by a team of officers which was aided by the police helicopter, we were able to locate the vehicle in question and detain a suspect nearby.

“Nobody was injured as a result of this incident and that is testament to the outstanding work of all involved – we will continue to take swift action against those who flout the laws of the road and endanger the lives of other road users.”