A man in his 20s was arrested at a primary school in Norwich after a police chase over rooftops and through gardens.

Norwich Evening News: Police were called to an illegal rave at Swaffham Heath in Beachemwell on Saturday night. Photo: Archant Photo: PA Wire.Police were called to an illegal rave at Swaffham Heath in Beachemwell on Saturday night. Photo: Archant Photo: PA Wire. (Image: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

A man in his 20s was arrested at a primary school in Norwich after a police chase over rooftops and through gardens.

The drama in the Golden Triangle began after officers tried to stop a silver Ford Fiesta on Ber Street, Norwich, at around 12.20pm on Wednesday.

They were ignored by the driver, who sped off towards Queens Road.

Police chased the car via Newmarket Road as it drove directly into oncoming traffic and along the cycle path.

At Mile End Close the driver fled the vehicle and climbed onto a roof then ran into a garden, jumping over garden fences to escape officers.

Officers caught up with the man at Colman Infant School on Colman Road, where pupils were enjoying their lunch break, and arrested him.

In a text to parents, the school said: "For your information there was an incident in the local area at lunchtime today which led to the police coming onsite in order to fulfil their role.

"There was no risk to the children and all the children remained safe through out."

One woman, who lives opposite the school on Colman Road, watched the incident unfold from her window.

She said: "A police Land Rover came screeching outside the school and police jumped over the gate.

"Another car joined them and police were everywhere. At first I assumed there was a problem with a parent at the school but then they dragged a young guy in cuffs out from the school field."

Lorraine Besthorpe, whose granddaughter attends Colman Infant School, lives on Mile End Road and saw the police come past on their way to the incident.

She said: "I saw the car go past with its lights on and so when my daughter told me about the text she got from the school I put the two together. I'm relieved none of the children got caught up in it, it could have been nasty."

Following the arrest police said they seized a large quantity of cash from the vehicle.

The man was being held at Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

Norfolk Police are appealing for anyone with dash cam or CCTV footage along the route which may have captured the Ford Fiesta being driven to contact them and quote CAD 214.