A DRIVER rammed into a police car after their tyres were punctured by a stinger.

The Operational Support Group were called to assist officers in Southend on Friday night when a driver ignored their request to stop.

Police then chased the vehicle and used a stinger to bring the runaway car to a stop.

Despite hitting the stinger and suffering two punctures, the driver of the vehicle then rammed into one of the chasing police cars.

The driver then ran off but was chased by officers and eventually arrested for failing to stop.

They also failed to provide a drug wipe.

Officers were quick to condemn the driver's action in a message on the Essex Police - Southend Facebook page.

They said: "This not only put the officers' safety at risk, but has also meant the vehicle had to be taken off the road and is now not able to be used to help those that need us."