A SUSPECTED burglar remains in custody this morning after he was knocked down by an unmarked police car which ploughed into a shop window.

The 23-year-old man was arrested by officers on suspicion of multiple offences including a number of burglaries following the collision with the police BMW in Victoria Road, Woolston yesterday afternoon.

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed this morning that the circumstances of the collision will not be referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

But they are being investigated by the Roads Policing Unit and being reviewed by the Professional Standards Department.

The investigation into the burglary offences is being led by Southampton CID.

As previously reported, officers confirmed the man they were pursuing was on foot when an unmarked police BMW trailing him mounted the kerb and struck him, before smashing into the front of Victoria News.

The vehicle also hit a parked car before eventually coming to a halt in front of stunned onlookers.

The injured man was left sprawled and crying for help on the floor while the impact cracked the shop window and damaged dark grey BMW and the parked silver Dodge.

Witnesses say the man emerged from a neighbouring house before being pursued by officers in three cars.

Newsagent Kautuk Shah was in the at the back of his store when the car slammed into the building.

He said: “I heard a loud bang. When I came outside I saw the gentleman on the floor by the bins outside my shop.

“The BMW had hit the window of the store and it had scraped against my car.”

Witness Josh Morgan, of Lake Road, said: “There were three cars parked up and then a man came out of one of houses.

“As soon he came out the cars gave chase, next thing you know there was a car up on the kerb, hitting the front of the shop.”

Another man who saw the aftermath said: “We heard the sirens and heard a bang and wondered what had happened.

“My son said the car mounted the pavement as they were chasing a man who had come out of a property in Victoria Road.

“I saw the man was crying out in pain and the car was at the front of the shop. It’s very shocking.”

Lynda Devine, who lives in Victoria Road, said: “The thing that worried me is that there were children inside the store so the incident could’ve been a lot worse.”

The man was taken to Southampton General Hospital by ambulance where he was last night being treated for non-life threatening leg injuries.

The officer behind the wheel was unharmed and returned to his duties afterwards – while his car sustained minor damage.