A HUNT has been launched for a man who evaded a police helicopter during a car chase.
A man driving a Mercedes C200 Sport ploughed into an unmarked police vehicle at around 2.30pm on Sunday.
The police car had used a “tactical manoeuvre” to stop the Mercedes near to the roundabout with Hornchurch Road at the Lords Hill Centre East.
However, this failed and the Mercedes sped off with a police helicopter launched over Southampton to track it down.
The driver had failed to stop for police earlier in the day and was believed to be a suspect in another offence.
A police spokesperson said: “At around 2.30pm on 5 July there was a collision at the Lords Hill Centre East, near to the roundabout with Hornchurch Road, between a Mercedes C200 Sport and an unmarked police vehicle.
“The Mercedes was involved in a fail to stop for police earlier in the day.
“The police vehicle had used a tactical manoeuvre to stop the vehicle and prevent a pursuit, however, this was ineffective and the Mercedes made off.
“The collision will be investigated by the roads policing unit.”
