A driver has been arrested after allegedly taking off at high speed from police.

The force helicopter was called to search after officers tried flagging down a Mercedes on the M2 near Gillingham last night.

But when it reportedly failed to stop, officers set off in pursuit but lost sight of the silver coupé around Gravesend.

Officers on patrol in Bexley then picked up the vehicle's trail and the car was followed along the A2 to Greenwich before crashing after the driver allegedly attempted to go the wrong way down Horn Lane in Charlton.

A man reportedly ran away from the scene of the crash but with the help from the police helicopter he was found in a garden nearby at about 8.05pm.

A police spokesman confirmed a 26-year-old man arrested at the scene was taken into custody and was being questioned today.

He was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and possession of cannabis.