Two arrested after fleeing

TWO people in Southland have been arrested after fleeing police, driving along a footpath and crashing into a patrol car.

Southern Prevention Acting Senior Sergeant Michael Wingfield said the incident started on Tuesday morning when a man driving a stolen vehicle crashed on the Devil's Staircase.

The man was then picked up by a woman in another vehicle.

Police attempted to pull the pair over, but they refused to stop.

A police pursuit of the vehicle was abandoned near Winton.

Acting Snr Sgt Wingfield said in Winton the vehicle was driven on to the footpath, passing near pedestrians, and then into a patrol car parked on a corner.

The pair were arrested at the scene, and will appear in the Invercargill District Court on a variety of charges.