A high-speed police chase ended when officers used a stinger to stop a vehicle in front of shocked villagers on the school-run.

One witness estimated the fleeing vehicle had been doing 100mph before police used the device across the road near Eynsford Station to bring it to a halt.

The car did not stop immediately but continued, hitting a vehicle outside the Castle Hotel.

It then crashed into a wall as it tried to turn into Priory Lane.

It was abandoned in the Scout Hall car park and two occupants escaped across country on foot.

Police deployed a drone and police dogs and the suspects were both arrested in woodland overlooking Eynsford.

Witnesses say some of the officers were armed.

The incident happened at about 3pm, when the village was busy with parents on the school run to Anthony Roper Primary School.

Fraser Munro, commenting on Facebook, said: “I heard the sound of braking and thought someone had crashed outside.

“I opened my door to a really strong burnt-rubber smell, and then an army of police cars came past.”

Kent Police said: “Patrols and a police dog initially responded to a report of a burglary in progress in Bradbourne Park Road in Sevenoaks at around 2pm.

“Officers attended the area and, following a search, a local constable spotted a suspicious vehicle in Otford.

“Patrols from the force’s Roads Policing Unit were deployed and required the BMW to stop as it travelled towards Eynsford.

“The driver did not stop and continued to drive in a dangerous manner until the vehicle travelled over a stinger device placed in Station Road.

“The two occupants left the vehicle on foot and a search was commenced with the assistance of a dog handler and a drone.

“Two suspects were located - one of them up a tree. The men, both aged 24, are in custody.”