Pictures of police car chase on Beaconsfield Road, Norton

A blue Ford Fiesta is reported to have been chased down the A139 by police before crashing on Beaconsfield Road in Norton, on January 15. Eyewitnesses describe four suspects leaving the vehicle and running away as police patrol cars arrived. The taxi driver is not believed to have been hurt.

A police helicopter and a drone were called in to help search for the suspects. It is not clear if any arrest have been made at this stage. An eyewitness, who did not wish to be named last night, said: "I was out walking my dog when I say a Fiesta coming down the A139 from Norton with about six or seven police vehicles behind it.

"It went to turn into Beaconsfield Road and crashed into a taxi. Four people got out and ran away." Another, who also did not wish to be named, said: "I heard a crash and looked out of my window to see a car whip up Beaconsfield Road away from the junction.

"I saw a load of police vehicles come through - there were at least six vehicles including a police van. "The police were there for at least 35 to 40 minutes. There was police drone as well as a police helicopter above helping in the search.

"People at the scene, when I went out there, told me people had got out of the car and ran away." Pictures from the scene:

Cleveland Police have been contacted for information.