A 16-year-old boy was slightly hurt when in an attempt to escape from the police, he lost control of the car he was driving and crashed into another vehicle, the police said.

Members of the Rapid Intervention Unit, while on patrol in Fleur-de-Lys at around 12.30am, noticed a Peugeot 106 being driven at excessive speed in the direction of Birkirkara.

The officers gave chase but the driver of the car kept on going until he reached Giovanni Papaffy Street, where he lost control of the car and crashed into a Vauxhall Astra coming from the opposite direction, careening into a pole.

The young driver got out of the car and tried to escape on foot, but was caught by the officers. The police found two plastic bags containing what the police believe to be drugs.

The 16-year-old, who is from Birkirkara, was taken to the Mosta health centre where he was certified to be suffering from slight injuries.

The driver of the Vauxhall and passengers were unhurt.