A MAN is being hunted by police after he ran from officers and climbed a scaffold outside a Weymouth hotel.

The incident took place at the back of The Concorde Hotel on The Esplanade at around 3.30pm yesterday.

Witnesses said the man, believed to be a van driver, climbed the scaffolding armed with a chisel.

A Dorset Police spokeswoman said: “Police received a report of an uninsured vehicle at 3.33pm.

“Officers attended Weymouth train station to speak with a man in connection with the reported driving offence.

“Upon being challenged by police, the man made off towards Astrid Way along The Esplanade.

“The man was holding what is thought to have been a chisel. No threats were made.

“The Dorset Police helicopter was involved in the pursuit which ensued in the vicinity of the Concorde Hotel.

“Police intelligence sources have associated a man with the vehicle which was the subject of the original report and he is now being sought by police.”

The Concorde Hotel confirmed that the incident took place but did not wish to comment.

A 50-year-old woman who was walking her dog along the beach at the time, said: “There were police everywhere and the helicopter was flying over.

“I heard that apparently the man had let someone drive his van who wasn’t insured to do so.

“Someone said he got stopped in the van and ran off, so the police chased him.

“There was a policewoman stood outside the front of The Concorde Hotel and four police cars around the back in Astrid Way, where the man was hanging off the scaffold.

“I couldn’t believe the massive police response for one person.”

A man, who did not wish to be named, said: “I had just come out of the pharmacy on Crescent Street when I saw a man being chased by two policemen.

“He climbed on scaffolding at the back of hotel. In the meantime, about four police cars arrived – apparently they had asked for back up as the man was armed.”

Anyone with details is asked to contact the police on 101.