AT LEAST half a dozen police vehicles have been used to stop a suspect car in York city centre.

An eyewitness said he saw police cars and vans tearing down Micklegate and along George Hudson Street before boxing in a car at the junction of the two streets, at about 4.45pm today.

He said police shouted 'Out' at three people inside the car, who were removed to the pavement and then taken away.

North Yorkshire Police said that officers were mobilised as a 'pre-emptive tactic' in relation to a suspect vehicle, as there were concerns that it might make off through the city centre. She had no information on any arrests.