Two policemen and a woman were injured this morning as the driver of a car tried to evade the police because he was driving without a licence, people on the scene said.

The incident happened at about noon in Reid Street, Gzira.

The police tried to stop the 19-year-old driver from Birkirkara on suspicion that he was driving without a licence. The driver tried to escape by driving at speed down the street, but his way was blocked by a crane.

He then reversed and hit the woman, who is 71 and lives in Gzira.

He subsequently also hit the police car and another car parked in the street but was blocked and arrested. He also damaged the facade of a residence. The woman was taken to hospital. She is in a stable condition.

The policemen were slightly injured as they were arresting the man.