Detectives said the Vauxhall Astra was being pursued at high speed, after it struck a pedestrian in the early hours.

They said the driver jumped out of the car, which, when it finally came to a halt, was found to have a two-year-old child in the back.

A spokesman for York police said: "The driver showed a total disregard for other road users and for the baby. We were horrified to find the two-year-old girl unrestrained in the back."

The pedestrian, who was not seriously hurt, was struck a glancing blow.

"Thankfully the child was not injured. The officers who found her in the back were extremely shocked by what happened," said the spokesman.