Substantial damage was caused after an alleged break-in led to a late-night police chase in the countryside.

Dorset Police was called at 10.01pm on Monday to a report of a break-in at a building in the recreation ground on Ricketts Lane in Sturminster Newton.

It was reported that two people left the location in a car. Officers attended and carried out a search of the area.

Police officers from North Dorset said they pursued suspects who started driving off-road in a bid to escape.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “Officers saw a vehicle matching the description and followed it after the car reportedly failed to stop for officers and made off from the scene.

“During the incident it is alleged that the vehicle was in collision with a marked police vehicle. Damage was caused to the police car.”

Luckily no one was injured.

Major damage was reportedly caused to fences and a gate in the Tarrant Keyneston area.

The suspects’ vehicle was later discovered in a car park in Pamphill.

In an update, police said a 37-year-old Poole man had been arrested on suspicion of burglary, dangerous driving and failing to stop a vehicle when required by an officer.

He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.