DASH cam footage has been released showing the moment a stolen car reversed back at high-speed during a police chase.

The video shows the driver of a blue Volkswagen Beetle reverse away from a police van in Olive Lane, Darwen, past parked cars and pedestrians.

Footage shows a red Ford KA having to veer to the left to avoid crashing into the vehicle.

The Beetle then carries on reversing back before it smashes into the side of a black Jeep, causing extensive damage to the vehicle following the incident at around 5.50pm on Wednesday.

The car then spins 90 degrees into the middle of the road before the driver jumps out and runs off.

Officers said enquiries are ongoing to trace the man responsible, who is described as white, aged around 18, 5ft 6ins with short brown hair.

Police said the Beetle was stolen during a burglary the day before.

John Milton, from Feniscowles, who was parked up on the road with his wife and children, took the footage using the dash cam in his car, and said the vehicle had been reversing back at around 30mph for more than 100 yards.

He said he had been left ‘shocked’ by the ‘dangerous driving’ which ‘could have killed passers-by.’

He said: “We were parked up in the road when a blue Volkswagen came hurling towards us in reverse.

“The police van tried to get round the back of the driver but they carried on reversing back.

“ A red Ford KA had to veer to the left to avoid crashing into the Volkswagen.

“It must have reversed back at a speed of 30mph for around 100 yards, before it crashed into a black Jeep and caused extensive damage to it.

“The car then spans 90 degrees into the middle of the road before the driver got out of the car with the engine on, and left the scene.

“I’ve sent the footage to the police and reported the matter.

“I’m just shocked by such dangerous driving which could have killed passers-by.

“It’s the worse piece of driving I’ve ever seen.”

A police spokesman said: “At around 5.50pm on Wednesday a stolen blue VW Beetle has reversed into a parked car on Olive Lane after being pursued by the police.

"The offender has then jumped out of the vehicle and run off.

“The Beetle was stolen during a burglary the day before.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident reference LC-20171004-1051.