TWO teenagers have been arrested after a stolen car twice gave chasing police officers the slip.

The Renault Clio was stolen at around 8pm last night after burglars took the car keys and a lap top computer from a house in Grampian Way, in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

The vehicle was picked up by an Automatic Number Plate Recognition camera, in Stanley, and was picked up by police patrol cars at around 11pm when a high speed pursuit developed through the Consett area.

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "The car was being driven at high speed and driving dangerously before it was lost in the Moorside area."

At 2am this morning, the car was again picked up in the Chester-le-Street area and a second police pursuit ensued, but again police lost touch with the stolen car.

It was then picked up for a third time being driven dangerously through Chester-le-Street and another pursuit was launched, which this time ended when the stolen car crashed into a lamppost in The Avenues.

The occupants abandoned the vehicle and ran off, with police chasing on foot.

Two teenagers, one aged 18 and a second aged 17, have been arrested and were yesterday helping police with their enquiries.