A police chief has praised fast-acting members of the public who helped detain an alleged drink-driver after a car crashed into a wall.

Police received multiple calls from concerned residents, who reported seeing a vehicle they suspected was being driven by a person under the influence of alcohol, hit a wall on Barlow Lane in Winlaton, Gateshead.

It was also reported that a person from within the car allegedly tried to leave the area and then attempted to dispose of property down a nearby drain.

Response officers were immediately deployed to the scene, where several members of the public had already helped to detain a man, who was then arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through alcohol or drugs and other offences.

Read more: Coxhoe woman left speechless after turning 60p ticket into five-figure cash prize

A search of the vehicle saw officers recover a bladed article, a quantity of cash and items suspected to be drugs.

The 22-year-old man has since been released under investigation, following the incident on Wednesday (July 20).

Today (July 27) Acting Chief Inspector Peter Bond, of Northumbria Police, praised the quick action of officers, as well as the community spirit of the helpful residents.

He said: “As response officers we are always ready to react to any type of job which comes our way, and on this occasion, the team was on scene within minutes, with the suspect placed in handcuffs just 15 minutes after the initial call came in.

To get more stories from Darlington direct to your email basket go here

“Incidents like this have the potential to cause serious harm to motorists and pedestrians but thankfully no one was injured. We are really grateful to the members of the public who were at the scene and helped assist officers.

“While we would never ask our communities to intervene, the actions of those who saw what happened and didn’t hesitate to act, have undoubtedly assisted us in detaining a suspect and beginning to build a picture of what exactly happened.

“An investigation has been launched and detectives will continue with those inquiries, and rest assured, anyone found to have been driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be dealt with robustly. This type of behaviour puts lives at risk and is completely unacceptable.”

Read next: 

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here.

To get more stories from Durham direct to your email basket go here.