An eight-year-old boy was taken to hospital this evening (Wednesday, January 22) after he was involved in a collision with a marked police car.

The boy, who suffered a suspected broken leg, was riding a scooter at the time of the incident in Vicarage Lane in the Silksworth area of Sunderland.

The driver of the police car was unhurt.

Enquiries are underway to establish the circumstances of the collision, which happened at 6.30pm.

The road was closed from Warwick Terrace and Lincoln Avenue and at the roundabout with Silksworth Lane along to Blind Lane to North Street. 

The matter will be referred to the IPCC.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference 878 220114 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.