Policeman's hand broken when chase ends in crash

A police officer has a broken hand after a high-speed chase involving seven teenagers early today.

Sergeant Joseph Cairns said a car full of teenagers was seen running a red traffic light at Rotorua's Fenton and Amohau streets intersection about 4.30am.

The driver failed to stop when requested to by police, Mr Cairns said.

Three police cars followed the car at speed through the city heading south.

"They reached speeds of between 80 and 120km/h," he said.

The driver lost control of the car and crashed into a bank a short time later near Bryce Rd, on St Highway 30 towards Atiamuri.

A police car hit the crashed car and a constable suffered a broken bone in his hand, said Mr Cairns.

Seven teenagers, aged between 13 and 16, were arrested in relation to the theft of a car taken from Te Awamutu early last night.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)