A New England police vehicle was damaged along with a stolen white Mazda Bravo ute after a pursuit in the Hillgrove area, while police are still searching for the driver and two passengers who led officers on three high-speed pursuits between Coonabarabran and Moree.

Barwon police and highway patrol officers were alerted by their southern counterparts about 1pm after a suspected stolen Gold Camry evaded officers on the Newell Highway.

“Police have tried to stop the vehicle bearing Victorian number plates, which accelerated away and a pursuit was initiated,” Barwon Inspector Martin Burke told The Leader.

Officers deployed road spikes near Narrabri but the car sped off, reaching speeds of up to 160km per hour in a 110 zone.

Officers were forced to abandon the pursuit on three occasions because of the high speeds.

Back-up was called in and officers again found the Camry south of Moree before a third pursuit north of town on the Newell Highway. But the vehicle got away after crossing to the wrong side of the road.

“The pursuits on all three occasions between Coonabarabran and Moree were terminated because of public safety,” Inspector Burke said.

“The public was put at risk by the offending vehicle which was being driving in a speed and manner dangerous to motorists.”

The Camry managed to evade officers who are now hunting the trio who were on board, and any links to stolen number plates and a fail-to-pay at Bellata.

“Two men and a woman were in the vehicle and police are appealing for public help to find those people,” Inspector Burke said.

“They were last seen in the Moree township and anyone who sights the vehicle is urged not to approach it but call police immediately.”

Meanwhile, two men were still in custody on Tuesday night after a wild police chase from Armidale to Hillgrove.

Police on Tuesday morning initiated a pursuit of the stolen white Mazda Bravo ute, which was taken from Armidale.

Several officers including general duties police and detectives were deployed to the Hillgrove area and found the stolen vehicle near the Waterfall Way about 11am.

Police attempted to follow the ute which left the road and went onto a firetrail before entering a paddock.

There were reports a police vehicle was rammed as well as a number of fences and gates, and The Leader understands one police car and the stolen ute sustained damage.

Police eventually arrested two men in a paddock off Thorpleigh Rd just before midday.

The pair were taken to Armidale Police Station and were being questioned by detectives before an ambulance was called.

One of the men was taken to Armidale hospital for treatment. No charges had been laid on late Tuesday.