A HIGH-SPEED car chase which ended with police dogs pursuing two teenagers also involved an inspector being nipped on the backside by one of his canine colleagues.

The drama began at 6.40am on Thursday when a Vauxhall Zafira was reported stolen after a burglary at a house in Ingol, Preston.

Police believe the car then travelled along the M65 through Blackburn and Hyndburn before eventually being spotted by a patrol in Manchester Road, Burnley, at 7.15am.

Police patrols, including a dog unit, then pursued the car through the town at high speed.

The suspects were later caught, one of them by police dog Nouchka, a Belgian malinois breed.

Watch liaison officer Tony Ford posted a neighbourhood alert about the incident.

He said: “A burglary occurred at residential premises in Preston.

“The thieves had gained entry to the home, located the vehicle keys and used these to steal the car that was parked outside.

“The stolen vehicle was spotted by patrolling officers and a pursuit began.

“The officers remained in contact with the vehicle until it suddenly stopped in Bancroft Road, Burnley, and the two occupants quickly de-camped and fled on foot.

“The shift inspector had reacted to the pursuit and was there when the vehicle was abandoned.

“Wanting to show his officers how it is done, the inspector ran after the thieves but unfortunately ran past the back of the police dog van just as the dog was being released and he received a nip from from one of them.”

The inspector, who has not been named, did not suffer serious injuries.

Mr Ford added: “It was a painful lesson for him and a source of amusement for his staff."

A 16-year-old youth from Preston has been charged with aggravated vehicle taking, burglary, driving without insurance and possession of a knife.

A second 16-year-old from Penwortham has been charged with aggravated vehicle taking.

They will appear before youth court on March 21.