A road chase ended with a stolen car colliding with a police car in Brighton this morning.

Police say a stolen Nissan Micra was doing "doughnut turns" in Whitehawk Road, Brighton, at 3.40am before they followed it through Whitehawk.

It failed to stop at the give way junction of Chichester Place and Eastern Road, colliding with a police car heading west in Eastern Road.

The three occupants of the car, two 16-year-old boys and a 17-year-old boy were taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.

The 17-year-old and one of the 16-year-olds suffered minor injuries and have been released from hospital. The other 16-year-old has more serious injuries is currently still in hospital.

All three have been arrested on suspicion of stealing a motor car.
 
The police officer driving the vehicle was also taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital with minor injuries and has now been released.
 
Eastern Road was closed for investigations for more than six hours but has now been re-opened.

Adam Walker, 47, of Chichester Place, was woken up by the sound of the accident. He took these pictures at the time.

He said: "We heard a loud screech of tyres and then the impact.

"We looked out the window and saw a cloud of smoke.

"There were about a dozen police cars and an ambulance, which arrived almost instantly afterwards.

"It was a weird experience. This road is normally very quiet."

A fire crew from Preston Circus was called but not needed.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission said it was not investigating the incident at this stage.

A spokeswoman said the commission is continuing to carry out an assessment to determine the level, if any, of IPCC involvement.

Sergeant Neil Walker said: "We are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the collision between the Nissan Micra and the police car. Anyone who has any information is asked to call police."
 
Ring 101 or email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 0166 of 31/07.