Two men have been arrested on suspicion over possessing cocaine after trying to flee from police before crashing a car into a lamppost.

The suspects, both 21, were detained by officers following a “routine patrol” in Carshalton Road shortly before 2.45pm on September 3.

A Volkswagen Polo was flagged up for no insurance but, when the driver was indicated to stop in Brighton Road, he instead drove off.

He was chased soon after but smashed into a lamppost near The Crown Sutton pub in Crown Road, at the junction with Sutton High Street.

A Met Police spokeswoman said the passenger was caught following a foot chase and was arrested on suspicion of allowing to be carried and possessing a knife or sharp-pointed article in a public place.

Meanwhile, the driver was found “hiding nearby” 15 minutes later and was detained on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, no insurance, as well as possession of a knife or sharp-pointed article in a public place.

She added: “Police were informed by a member of the public that a knife had been thrown into her car from the vehicle that made off from police.

“The woman was not injured and the knife was recovered.”

Officers searched the Volkswagen Polo following the arrests, and the pair were further held on suspicion of possessing cocaine.

Both were taken to a west London police station before they were subsequently released under investigation pending further enquiries.