Police seized a van full of cannabis plants after a dramatic high-speed chase through Bradford.

Witnesses told how the van fled pursuing police vehicles before being brought to a halt after it was deliberately rammed to stop it.

Two men were last night helping police with their inquiries after around 40 cannabis plants were discovered loaded into the back of the van.

The drama began when police tried to stop a white van which they suspected of containing drugs.

But the van sped off, followed by police.

A witness, who was sat in his car outside a relative’s house in Hollings Road, Girlington, said the vehicles went past him at speed.

The 21-year-old man said: “I heard sirens and a Transit Sprinter van went past with a BMW police car chasing it.

“I would say they were going at 40 to 50mph and they kept circling the block of streets and coming back again.

“I saw the van go on the wrong side of the road and on the pavement.

“Other police vehicles appeared and after five or ten minutes one of them rammed the front of the van and it was blocked in.

“The police pulled the driver and passenger out of the vehicle, got them on the ground and handcuffed them and they were put in police vehicles. When they opened the back of the van it was full of cannabis plants.

“I was shocked at first, but then it was exciting.

“It was unreal, like a gangster movie.

“I support what the police have done. I don’t want my family to have drug dealing around them.”

Police said they were called at around 10pm on Thursday to reports of men loading suspected cannabis plants into a white van on Springcliffe Street, Manningham.

A spokesman said: “Officers responding to the call saw a white van at traffic lights on Victor Road and indicated for the vehicle to pull over.

“The vehicle made away and was pursued before being stopped a short time later.

“The 32-year-old driver of the van and a 22-year-old passenger were arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of drugs, dangerous driving and failing to stop. Both men remain in custody.

“Approximately 40 suspected cannabis plants in mature stages of growth were recovered from the vehicle. Inquiries are ongoing.”