A terrified family say they fear leaving home after their cars were smashed just metres from their living room in a police chase.
The mum-of-two was preparing for bed when an “explosive” and “horrendous bang” erupted from outside her Downs Road home in Canterbury.
As blue lights flashed outside, she saw the mangled metal of her two vehicles moments after the suspect’s car had ploughed into them.
The woman, whose children were also inside the home, described the carnage as sounding like an explosion.
A duo have been arrested and released on police bail pending enquiries following the smash at about 11pm on March 14.
“As I was walking up to bed there was this horrendous bang. I can’t even describe it,” said the woman, who asked to be identified as Sarah.
“Immediately afterwards I saw blue flashing lights outside of my window. I thought there had been some sort of explosion.
“When I looked out of my window I saw the absolute carnage on my driveway.”
During the pursuit, the suspect’s vehicle collided with multiple parked cars.
Images taken shortly after the smash show one car on its side near a wall at one of the properties on the residential street.
Sarah, who has two children aged 15 and 17, told KentOnline that they have all been impacted by the incident.
She added: “Since the incident, I have had no transport, I’ve been stuck inside looking after two kids and I’ve been unable to go to work.
“My daughter has not been out since. We have been terrified to leave the house, to be honest.
“It has made me feel physically and mentally ill. every time I hear a siren or a car going quickly past the house I just freeze.”
The family have lived in Downs Road for the past two years and say they have never seen anything like the events last week.
Sarah says she is “disappointed” with the police response and claims to have not heard from the force since the day of the incident.
She added: “My car had been destroyed and was sitting just a few feet away from my living room window.
“My van was upended across a wall into my neighbour's driveway and the offender's car was on the driveway next to my van. It was carnage.
“The police response has been very disappointing. I have not heard from them since and they have only provided me with a police reference number and the registration.”
Two men were arrested on suspicion of driving offences and released on bail.
A neighbour, who witnessed the aftermath, said: “I was just trying to get to sleep then I saw sirens through my window.
“I then heard a big bang and one car hit a parked car which flipped.”
Sarah says she has been left “devastated” by the damage to her vehicles, especially the van which holds significant sentimental value.
The van was purchased with money left by her nan when she died during Covid.
Sarah was also planning on taking her children on holiday in the van over the Easter holidays but says they will no longer be able to do this.
“I have not been offered any support,” she added.
“I want to know who authorised this high-speed chase in such a pedestrianised area.
“It was only by chance there was no one out there the other night.”
Sarah has been given 10 days off work to have time to deal with the insurance companies and arrange transport.
Inspector Paul Stoner, of Canterbury's Community Safety Unit, said: “During an ensuing pursuit, the vehicle collided with parked cars in Downs Road and two men were arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving offences.
“They have since been bailed pending further enquiries and officers are in touch with the owners of vehicles which were damaged.
“Our officers are trained to assess the risk of pursuing suspect vehicles and the level of risk is constantly re-assessed throughout.
“In this instance, the short pursuit took place late in the evening, with very little traffic on the road.”
