TWO suspected shoplifters rammed a police car after being pursued in connection with recent thefts.

They rammed their car into a police car in Mile Oak Gardens, Portslade, at about 11am this morning, before getting out and fleeing.

Denise Bennett, 86, who lives in the road, said: “I looked out my window and saw two policemen chasing two men up a bridlepath.

“These two men were tearing along the road, with the policemen running behind them.

“One of them nearly castrated himself jumping over a post at the bottom of the bridle path – he was in such a hurry. They ran up on to the Downs with the policemen following them.”

This picture was taken by Bryony Reynolds and shows patrol cars in the road soon after the chase came to an end.

One reader said the road was closed and that there was another police car sitting on the green at the lights at the bottom of Mile Oak Road.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "A police patrol spotted a vehicle thought to have been connected with recent thefts from the Holmbush Centre, Shoreham, in Mile Oak, Portslade, and signalled it to stop.

"The driver failed to respond and made off into Mile Oak Gardens, where the police vehicle was rammed and two private cars damaged before two men in the suspect car ran off towards open fields and allotments.

"The two officers in the patrol car were unhurt and were joined by other units in a search of the area for the suspects.

"All the damaged vehicles were recovered for repair. Currently the suspects are still being sought.

"The driver is described as being a white man, 5ft 10in, of stocky build and with cropped hair.

"The passenger was wearing a dark jacket over a blue shirt, and black trainers with white soles and toecaps."

Anyone with information that may help police trace the suspects should email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 509 of October 23.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers without having to leave a name on 0800 555 111.