POLICE used CS gas to pacify the driver of a car that crashed into a wall in Earby.

The blue Renault 19 car mounted a pavement in Water Street and collided with the wall before speeding off towards the town centre.

Five people in the car, aged between 16 and 22, were arrested a short time later in Cross Street, close to the town's cricket ground.

Sergeant John Fryer, of Pendle police, said: "The driver had to be sprayed with CS gas due to his violent nature."

The three men and two girls were arrested for a variety of offences, including affray, criminal damage and assaulting a police officer.

They were being questioned at Colne police station today.

Four are from the Skipton area and the fifth of no fixed address. The group are being linked to complaints by local people about a gang of youths causing trouble and kicking parked cars in John Street.

Sgt Fryer said: "We initially received a call from a member of the public at 7.45pm yesterday that a vehicle was driving dangerously.

"It had mounted the pavement in Water Street and crashed into a wall. It then drove off at speed towards Victoria Road. "Officers were deployed to the area and the vehicle was found a short time later with the occupants in the car."

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