A driver has told how several cars were damaged as police chased a suspect along the A2.

Leanne Verrall was driving from Rochester to her job in Bluewater shopping centre this afternoon when she says a car smashed the side of her Mercedes A-class.

Police arrested three men, who remain in custody, on suspicion of vehicle theft following the pursuit at about 2.30pm.

She described seeing flashing blue lights behind her as she was driving along the westbound A2 near Gravesend.

“As they went past me they’ve smashed my wing mirror and cracked my front bumper,” said Mrs Verrall, 47.

“Then they’ve hit the car in front and the car in front of that - it was like dodge ‘ems. I’ve never seen anything like it, the driving was completely erratic and unsafe.”

The retail manager claimed that as many as 10 cars were similarly damaged, with some being rendered undrivable.

Unconfirmed reports suggest officers were in pursuit of a stolen white Jaguar SUV, with at least one person inside the car later being seen in handcuffs.

A police spokesman said: “At around 2.30pm, a vehicle suspected to be stolen attempted to make off from officers before being stopped on the London-bound A2 Watling Street, near the junction with Wrotham Road.

“Three men were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and have been taken into custody while further inquiries are carried out.

“A number of other vehicles were damaged as the car attempted to pass traffic and the carriageway was closed while the men were detained and the incident responded to.

“No injuries have been reported and the road has since reopened.”

After the collision, Mrs Verrall, from Rochester, says she called 999 and was told to move over to the side of the road. An inspector quickly arrived on the scene to record the vehicles.

“They gave me an incident number and told me to wait for a call,” she added.

“I don’t know how much the repairs will cost but it’s not going to be cheap.”

Traffic reports said all traffic was being held on the A2 westbound near A2260 Southfleet Road (Northfleet/Ebbsfleet turn-off).

Anyone with dashcam footage which may assist police is urged to call 01474 366149, quoting 01-0459.