A MAN was arrested after a police chase involving a stolen van in North Yorkshire.

Police were contacted by a member of the public at 6.55am yesterday to reports of a property in Scalby Road in Scarborough being broken into and a van being stolen from the driveway.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police explained: "Access to the property had been gained by a side door and the keys to the vehicle had been taken. The van was then driven away from the driveway of the property.

"A detailed description of the van was taken and officers began to search in the local area.

"Minutes later, a petrol station on Boak End in Scarborough reported a van filling up with £30 worth of petrol and making off in the direction of Scarborough, without offering any payment.

"The description of the van taken matched the description of the van stolen from Scalby Road."

Officers started to search the area and spotted the van in the vicinity of North Lane, Cayton. They tried to stop the van, but the driver made off and a chase ensued, the spokesman added.

Police stopped the van in the Dunslow Road area.

The spokesman said a 33-year-old man from Filey was arrested in connection with the investigation and he currently remains in police custody.

Anyone who witnessed anything which would assist the investigation is asked to phone police on 101, select option 1 and ask to speak to the force control room. Quote reference 12170139865.