A man has been arrested after reportedly trying to pick up a friend in a stolen car.

The suspect was taken into custody after trying to collect his pal – who had been arrested on suspicion of stealing a car – in Maidstone.

The saga started after police noticed a stolen Ford Ecosport being driven through the town earlier this evening.

When officers tried to stop the car, it fled and sparked a chase.

This was brought to an abrupt end when tactical officers deployed a stinger, bursting the four-wheel-drive's tyres.

When a friend arrived to collect him, officers quickly noticed that he too was also driving a stolen vehicle and duly arrested him.

In a post on twitter, a spokesman said: "Great teamwork has resulted in two arrests.

"Not only the driver involved in the pursuit, but the driver who turned up to collect him in another stolen vehicle."