POLICE were forced to Taser a man who crashed his car into a wall after fleeing police in the early hours of the morning.

Residents were woken at about 00.30am this morning after a BMW crashed into a wall outside the Glyn Hopkins car dealer in Wimpole Road, Colchester.

Officers on a routine patrol had attempted to stop the 26-year-old driving the car before he then tried to speed away from officers.

As the driver accelerated, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a wall, destroying three broadband wire cabinets.

Gazette: Wrecked – a wall was destroyed after a BMW driver crashed trying to get away from policeWrecked – a wall was destroyed after a BMW driver crashed trying to get away from police (Image: Newsquest)

Police then deployed a Taser to stop the 26-year-old as he attempted to flee the scene.

Pictures shared on social media shortly afterwards show the front of the BMW, which was completely destroyed.

There were still remnants of debris on the road later on Sunday morning, by which time engineers from Virgin Media and UK Power Networks were on the scene to start repairs on the broadband cabinets.

The cabinets are expected to be fixed by Thursday this week.

Two police officers were also on the scene on Sunday morning, with one saying the crash followed a police pursuit.

One member of the public also said cash had spilled out of the crashed car before being blown along the street, though this was not confirmed by Essex Police.

A spokesman for the force did, however, say the BMW driver was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for police and being unfit to drive through drink or drugs.

A spokesman said: “A man remains in custody following a collision in Colchester.

Gazette: Repairs – police and staff from UK Power Networks and Virgin Media were on the scene of the crash on Sunday morningRepairs – police and staff from UK Power Networks and Virgin Media were on the scene of the crash on Sunday morning (Image: Newsquest)

“Officers on routine patrol attempted to stop the driver of a BMW car at around 0.30am on Sunday, March 24.

“The car accelerated at speed and appeared to lose control before colliding with a wall moments later.

“Officers deployed Taser before a 26-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of failing to stop for police and being unfit to drive through drink or drugs.

“The road was closed to allow for the vehicle to be recovered.”