An 18-year-old man was arrested after a high-speed police chase, which tore through the streets of Orpington disturbing sleepy residents about to bed down for the night.

Four police cars with sirens wailing were seen following a blue Vauxhall Corsa along Chelsfield Lane at around 11pm on Wednesday (July 22).

A Met Police helicopter circled loudly overhead.

Engineer Ben Carter, who lives nearby, caught the pursuit on video after seeing the Vauxhall Corsa complete four laps of the road as it was tailed by police.

The 23-year-old told News Shopper: “I was in my room with the window open - I kept hearing these sirens.

“I look out and I saw this nutter flying past with the police cars chasing after him.

“There were a fair few of them. Then I saw the helicopter.

“I tried to give him a bit of verbal out of the window.

“When I took the video that must have been the fifth time the car had flown up the road.

“There’s not much trouble around here but something like that is just crazy.”

Confused neighbours took to social media to try to find out what was causing the commotion.

*** WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE ***

Twitter user Olly Chambers (@Olly_Chambers) said: "Anyone in Orpington area know what all these sirens are about? Even got a helicopter above my house."

Another, Darren (@Mcleod75D) wrote: "What's going on in Orpington? Helicopter out and loads of sirens for the last ten minutes."

Journalist Luke Tugby (@LukeTugby) said: "What on earth is going down in Orpington? Road round the corner from us blocked off, blue flashing lights everywhere, 2 choppers circling."

A Met Police spokesman said the blue Vauxhall Corsa had failed to stop for police in the Avalon Road area of Orpington.

Following a 20-minute pursuit, the car eventually stopped in Carew Way.

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of various driving offences and possession of class B drugs.

Enquiries continue.