A man was being questioned today after a police chase in Fazakerley which saw a stolen car crash into traffic lights.

The car reportedly sped through the streets of Kensington and Kirkby before smashing into traffic lights in Longmoor Lane, Fazakerly. The Mercedes driver was being chased by police after the car was stolen from a house in Cambria Street North, in Kensington, just before 4am on Saturday.

Merseyside Police have since arrested a 34-year-old man. The smash happened just after 9am on Saturday and caused long delays on Longmoor Lane as police shut the busy road in both directions. The Mercedes ploughed into a central reservation and traffic lights.

A Merseyside Police spokesperson said car keys were taken from the house in Kensington and the owner’s silver Mercedes stolen shortly before 4am. Roads Policing Officers, supported by the National Police Air Service helicopter, were deployed after the car was spotted and, following a police chase, it was stopped and the driver arrested.

The 34-year-old man, of no fixed address, was arrested on suspicion of burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, drink driving, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and refusing to provide a sample for a Class A drugs test. He was taken into custody for questioning.

Detective Inspector Victoria Lanceley said: “I hope this arrest and the speed with which our officers acted, assisted by the police helicopter, shows communities in Merseyside how seriously we take burglaries. We know the profound effect burglary can have on victims who have had the place they should feel safest invaded and expensive and often much-needed property taken.

“It is always worth considering different ways you can make your homes unattractive targets for would-be criminals, such as keeping car keys out of sight. Advice is available on our website for locks, cameras and other measures to bring greater security and peace of mind.”

Any information can be passed on to police via the social media desk @MerPolCC on Twitter, 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' on Facebook, call 101 or the independent charity @CrimestoppersUK anonymously, on 0800 555 111.