An investigation has been launched following a police chase in Folkestone which resulted in a crash.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now looking into the circumstances of the collision, which left a man with serious injuries.

Officers had requested a black Honda Civic to stop at 1.08am on Friday, December 4 in Shorncliffe Road.

The vehicle was briefly pursued before it left the road in Cherry Garden Avenue and collided with a tree.

The one person who was in the car was taken to hospital and later transferred to a London hospital.

Cherry Garden Avenue was closed for several hours after the incident.

The matter was referred to the IOPC by Kent Police.

The independent body is now looking into the circumstances of the collision.

An IOPC spokesman said: "We have begun an independent investigation after the collision in Folkestone of a vehicle being followed by Kent Police, in which the male driver was seriously injured.

"We were notified by Kent Police that, at around 1am on Friday, December 4 in Folkestone, the police witnessed a car travelling at speed, which they then followed and the vehicle went onto collide with a tree.

"The investigation is in its early stages and we have gathered initial accounts from the officers involved.

"Part of our investigation will be to establish the circumstances of the incident and the actions of the officers prior to the collision."

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