THIEVES driving a stolen vehicle caused a head-on smash that left a woman trapped and injured in her car.

Firefighters had to cut the woman free following the collision in Church Road, Smithills.

The pair in the other car had broken into a nearby van to steal garden equipment.

But they were disturbed by the van owner who started chasing the two men and they got into a blue Peugeot 308 and attempted to flee the scene.

As they attempted to get away they were involved in the head-on collision with a red Vauxhall Corsa.

The ambulance service and fire crews both attended to treat the woman and also help remove her from the car.

Firefighters cut her free and she was taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

The two thieves abandoned the vehicle at the scene and made off towards Moss Bank Way.

The crash also blocked the road for a short period of time while police removed the vehicles and carried out inquiries.

On further investigation police found the car was using false plates and checks showed it had been stole. A set of number plates relating to another stolen vehicle were found in the car.

PC Paul Ashworth from the Specialist Operations Roads Policing Unit said “It was fortunate that no one was seriously injured during this collision, the only thing on the minds of the offenders was to escape and they showed a clear disregard for the safety of other road users. Thanks to the quick thinking of nearby residents and witnesses to the collision we have strong lines of enquiry and we will do our very best to bring these two individuals to account for their actions.”

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote log number 1409 250917.