A STOLEN car was found abandoned and crashed into a fence following a police chase.

Officers first noted the stolen blue BMW after it was spotted going through a police camera at around 8.50pm yesterday.

Police then got behind the vehicle along Blackburn Road going towards Blackburn.

Officers said they followed the car at a 'relatively low speed' for around five minutes before the vehicle was abandoned and left to crash into a fence in St Mary Close.

An investigation is still underway to find the driver who ran away from the scene.

Response inspector Andy Willis said: "We had a look around but did not manage to find the driver.

"We believe it was a white man in his 20s wearing a cap.

"We hope that forensic testing on the car will help us find who did it.

"The car has been recovered with minor damage and returned to its owner."

Police earlier detained one man regarding the incident but he was released without charge.

Anyone with any information should contact the police on 101.