POLICE chased a stolen Mitsubishi from the M48 to Maesglas in Newport.

The police helicopter was called in at around 7.45pm last night, but police cars were unable to catch up with the car.

The Mitsubishi Warrior was dumped in a back lane behind Maesglas Crescent and Bideford Road shortly before 8pm.

Three men are understood to have jumped out of the vehicle before police arrived on the scene.

The police helicopter circled above Maesglas for around half an hour, but was stood down at 8.23pm.

Witnesses say there were also three police cars and a dog handling unit present.

The people on the car have still not been traced.