Drivers were left scratching their heads after finding themselves caught up in an M1 police pursuit that seemed more like a Sunday drive.

The unusual scene unfolded around 3.30 on Sunday afternoon when highway patrol officers attached attempted to stop a van spotted without registration plates on the Pacific Highway near Bangalow.

Police will allege the driver briefly spoke with officers before driving off — but instead of speeding off, continued along the highway at what appeared to be at a pace safely within the 110km/h speed limit.

Eyewitnesses said the convoy — with police lights and sirens activated — travelled south along the M1 before turning into Tamarind Drive and heading into North Ballina.

“It wasn’t like a chase,” one local observer posted on social media. “They were just following him. Weird as.”

“He even slowed down when he hit the 60km/h speed limit change near Gallans Road,” another driver caught up in the procession observed.

The slow-moving pursuit came to an end at the BP service station on the corner of Southern Cross Drive.

There, at least three police vehicles converged as the van pulled in.

The driver was arrested at the scene on an outstanding warrant.

Police were also seen assisting a Ballina Shire Council ranger called in to help manage a large dog believed to belong to the driver.

Witnesses said the animal appeared highly agitated before it was safely secured and taken away in a council van (main image above).

No further details have been released about the warrant, the driver, or the current condition of the dog.

Police inquiries are continuing.

The driver is expected to face charges in relation to the outstanding warrant and driving an unregistered vehicle.

He’s not expected to be charged with exceeding the speed limit.

More to come.