Police have charged two men following a police pursuit at Newcastle overnight.

About 1.40am today (Tuesday 12 May 2015), an off duty police officer observed suspicious behaviour by two men who were approaching unattended cars in a car park at New Lambton.

A short time later police from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and observed two men in a stolen vehicle.

The officers drove towards the stolen car and activated their warning lights and sirens but the men’s vehicle mounted the footpath and drove away.

As the stolen vehicle entered the confines of the nearby Harker Oval a police pursuit commenced.

The officers were able to follow and observe the stolen car from a road that adjoins the oval which is surrounded by cyclone fencing.

The driver of the stolen car attempted to ram the fence in order to escape but the vehicle became trapped.

Both men were arrested without incident and conveyed to Waratah Police Station.

The 22-year-old driver from Summerland Point was charged with Skyes Law (pursuit), suspended driver, drive conveyance without consent of owner and outstanding warrants.

The 18-year-old from Belmont was charged with being carried in a conveyance and an outstanding warrant.

Both men were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.