Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a pursuit in Newcastle yesterday.

About 1am (Saturday 13 June 2015), officers from Newcastle Local Area Command were patrolling Wharf Road, Newcastle.

The police indicated to the driver of a white Hyundai i20 to pull over, when the car allegedly accelerated away and a pursuit was initiated.

After a short distance the pursuit was stopped due to safety concerns.

The Hyundai was seen later at Newcastle Road, Wallsend and a pursuit was re-initiated. The car has travelled through Maryland, Fletcher, Minmi and Lenaghans Hill and onto the M1 Freeway, before exiting on the southern exit of Palmers Road, Toronto.

The pursuit was again terminated due to safety concerns.

The car was located abandoned a short time later near Freemans Drive, Freemans Waterhole.

A police dog attended the location and found three people in bushland nearby.

They were arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station before being released pending further inquiries.