A police car that smashed into a lamppost after chasing a suspected stolen vehicle also hit a car with a mum and her two children in it, we can reveal.

The woman and the youngsters, aged five and nine, were travelling in a Fiat Punto when they became the innocent victims of a pursuit, which also saw a white Audi smash into a tree.

The triple crash happened in Brookfield Road as officers desperately tried to stop the Audi, which they believe was stolen in Sevenoaks.

A police spokesman said: “When police brought the suspect vehicle to a stop another vehicle was damaged in the process. The occupants were not injured but received medical attention as a precaution.”

He said the collision between the police car and the Punto was “fairly low speed” and stressed the Audi needed to be stopped to prevent any further crashes that might have injured people.

A 44-year-old woman from Ashford and three men from London, aged 23, 30 and 34, were arrested on suspicion of burglary after the crash.

All four have been bailed until Tuesday, January 13.

Police revealed this week that officers believe the white Audi was stolen during a burglary in Sevenoaks.

Two people who were travelling in the Audi, the woman and a man, were taken to the William Harvey Hospital with minor injuries.

The officer driving the police car suffered minor head injuries but a spokesman confirmed he had recovered.

The crash happened close to the Matalan roundabout where the A28 meets the B2229 Brookfield Road at about 3.50pm on Tuesday, November 4.

The pursuit started in Kimberley Way when the Audi allegedly failed to stop.

Nine police cars rushed to the scene and the air ambulance landed but was not needed.

The road was closed for five hours causing gridlock around Ashford during the evening rush hour.

Anyone with information is asked to call the collision unit on 01622 798538.