DETECTIVES are appealing for witnesses to an incident in which a man was allegedly dragged from his car in front of his girlfriend.

A police spokesman said the man was bundled into a van and driven to a police station, where an allegation was made against him concerning the theft of money from a local pizza takeaway.

The van driver was arrested instead.

The incident happened at 1pm on Sunday near the BP filling station on the A167 in Chester-le-Street and involved the drivers of a white Ford van and a silver Citroen Saxo car.

The spokesman said it appeared the two vehicles had travelled towards the town from Washington, Wearside, with the van in pursuit of the Citroen.

As they came off the A1(M) and headed towards Chester-le-Street, the van allegedly forced the car to stop.

The spokesman said: "A man then got out of the vehicle and, when he found both driver's and passenger doors locked, smashed the side window of the Saxo.

"He then dragged the passenger -a 28-year-old man -from the car and the victim was bundled into the van, which drove off back in the direction it had come from.

"A short time later, the van arrived at Washington police office, where an allegation was made concerning the theft of money from a local pizza takeaway."

Police contacted their colleagues in Durham, who were already investigating the alleged kidnap in Chester-le-Street.

The van driver, 29, from Washington, was arrested, taken to Chester-le-Street police office, questioned and released on police bail until early next month.

Police said the matter was being investigated as a business-related dispute between two people who are known to each other.

The spokesman said: "It must have been very scary for anyone who witnessed it.

"It had all the hallmarks of a road rage incident, but we are confident that this is actually a dispute between two people who are known to each other and concerns a business matter."

Anyone who saw the incident on the A167 or saw the vehicles as they drove along the motorway has been asked to call the investigating officer, Detective Constable Alex Simms, on 0845-60-60-365.

They can also call Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.