A stolen car crashed at a busy crossroads after a police chase.

The Range Rover knocked down a street sign at the junction of South Farm Road and Teville Road, Worthing, yesterday afternoon (Mon).

People in the area said it was lucky no-one was hurt.

The drama started at about 2.30pm in Shripney Road, Bognor.

Police spotted a black Range Rover they believed was stolen.

They got onto the car’s trail and by the time it reached Worthing it was being chased by a police car with the force’s helicopter watching from above.

The 4x4 smashed into a lamppost outside a Tesco Express shop at about 3pm.

A 24-year-old man from Hove, was arrested on suspicion of theft of a vehicle, careless or dangerous driving, and failing to stop for police.

Sussex Police declined to comment on the speed the car was doing and whether police took the area of the town into account when they carried on their pursuit of the car.

One onlooker said: “This busy corner is normally packed with school children and parents from three local schools and a playgroup, miraculously nobody was injured.”

Rory Moore, of Moores Appliances(COR) in South Farm Road, said: “I heard sirens and a big bang.

“There were people standing by my door when it happened, and it was right outside Tesco’s entrance.”

The arrested man was being questioned in custody last night.