A DRAMATIC police chase in St Albans ended with the arrest of two men, following reports of a burglary in Harpenden yesterday.

As police headed to an address in Harpenden after calls describing three men acting suspiciously, they passed a blue Vauxhall matching the description of the car the suspects were travelling in.

Following a chase down Harpenden Road, the vehicle was abandoned in Batchwood Drive, St Albans, and the men made off on foot.

A witness has described how he heard a loud noise - assuming there had been a horrific crash.

The resident of Ladies Grove, who asked not to be named, said: "I was working out in the garden and heard a loud screech, it was so loud I thought that's got to be serious. I ran towards Batchwood Drive and as I did three men ran past me and the police were coming towards me.

"So I just instantly turned around after them but one had already gone missing. I could still see the other two so I gave chase and managed to catch one them, I just grabbed him.

"At first when they were running past me the other way I didn't know who they were, I just thought they were running to get help because of the crash, it wasn't until I saw the police that I realised they were after them."

The police helicopter was called out at about 12.40pm to assist police on the ground with the manhunt.

Officers lined Ladies Grove for most of the afternoon and other witnesses said dog units were scouring back gardens in the area.

Two men from Hemel Hempstead, aged 18 and 21, have been arrested on suspicion of burglary.