Palmerston North police check a car that crashed at the intersection of Botanical Rd and Featherston St.

Two men were arrested, and will appear in the Palmerston North District Court on a number of charges, after a short police chase on Friday that ended with the pursued vehicle crashing.

The crash happened at the intersection of Botanical Rd and Featherston St in Palmerston North about 7.20am.

Police earlier responded to reports of suspicious activity at local business on Church St at 7am. A vehicle was leaving as police arrived. The driver refused to pull over and police pursued it in a short, high speed chase.

When the speed of the offending vehicle began increasing the police patrol abandoned their pursuit.

A short time later the fleeing driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed, damaging traffic lights and a fence.

Both of the vehicle's occupants were unhurt, and were arrested.