Three young men have been charged in connection with an alleged robbery after a police chase saw a car crash into a fence.

Police were called to Princess Court in Spennymoor just before 9pm on Bank Holiday Monday (May 6) when to reports a man had been hit with a hammer and had his car stolen.

Officers rushed to the scene and spotted three suspects who they believed had made off in the man’s car.

The suspects led chase and the car eventually stopped when it crashed into a fence on Heath Road, about a mile away.

Three men, aged 23, 20 and 19, were arrested and later charged with robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

The 19-year-old was also charged with driving while disqualified and without insurance and aggravated vehicle taking.

All three were remanded in custody to appear before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe on Wednesday (May 8) morning.

Police are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.

A Durham Police spokesperson said: “Three suspects are believed to have made off in the victim’s vehicle but were quickly spotted by eagle-eyed officers from the roads and armed policing unit.

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“A pursuit was authorised, and the vehicle eventually came to a stop after colliding with a fence on Heath Road.

“Officers are keen to speak to anyone with information or with dashcam footage which captures the incident or the vehicle driving away.

“Please contact DC Dickenson from Bishop Auckland CID on 101 quoting incident number 413 of May 6 to submit information.”