A car chase was abruptly stopped in Huntingdonshire this afternoon as a stolen vehicle was driven through three counties as the driver tried to evade detection.

Officers followed a Nissan Navara 4x4, which was stolen from a field in Norfolk earlier today, from Norfolk, through Suffolk and into Cambridgeshire, before using a stinger device - an extendable metal strip with spikes to burst tyres - to stop the car in Needingworth just before 5pm.

The car was reported stolen at Downham Market Police Station by its owner, who was working in a field that belonged to Alan Bartlett and Sons when it was stolen.

A Norfolk police spokesman said the car had a tracker, so officers were able to follow it on its journey.

Inspector Terry Furlong, of Cambridgeshire police, added: “The police helicopter and unmarked cars tracked the car undetected into Cambridgeshire and through Earith into Needingworth where officers carried out a controlled stop using a stinger device.

“One man has been arrested and has been taken to Parkside Police Station in Cambridge.

“The car has been recovered and is being taken back to its owner.”