A driver who went the wrong direction down a one-way road led police on a foot chase through a multi-storey Asda car park.

Officers carrying out traffic checks in Folkestone on March 21 asked a man to stop, but he failed to do so.

A chase then ensued across two levels of the car park at Bouverie Place, Folkestone.

The 43-year-old driver got out of the vehicle and tried to run, but was apprehended and arrested on suspicion of drug driving and traffic offences.

It was part of an operation to target criminality on the district’s roads.

Two more arrests were made in connection with suspected drug driving, whereby a 33-year-old man was stopped in Middleburg Square, and a 48-year-old man was detained in Cheriton Road.

All three men arrested during the operation have since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

A total of 26 traffic offence reports were also issued during the operation.

Seven people were reported in relation to failure to wear seatbelts and five were reported for using a mobile phone at the wheel.

Other issues included incorrect window tints, damaged lights, unsafe loads, illegal tyres, and an exhaust not conforming to standards on a motorcycle, police say.

People were also reported for not having the correct documentation for vehicles, such as MOT certificates, and two drivers had their cars seized after it was found they were not insured.

Police spoke to a further 30 people to advise about safer driving, and council officers working with the force focused on issues relating to taxi licensing and waste carrier licences.

PC Kevin Marsh said: “The focus of our operation was to tackle those who are more likely to cause problems on the roads around Folkestone.

“Anyone who gets behind the wheel without the correct driving licence, or insurance, or who has not maintained their vehicle to a roadworthy standard, can become a risk to others on the road.

“Working with teams, such as the Road Safety Unit and our partner agencies, meant that we were able to cover a wide range of potential offending and disrupt criminality from taking place.

“We hope this work reminds people about the importance of road safety.”