POLICE have confirmed that a car stolen from Surrey and crashed into an Eastleigh tree was being driven by a 13-year-old boy.

Another 13-year-old boy and a 12-year-old boy were passengers in the Renault Megane which collided with a tree on Leigh Road.

As reported both Hampshire and Surrey police forces have launched a criminal investigation into the incident, which left the boys with minor injuries and the female driver of another car with serious injuries.

Hampshire police also referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, who today issued a statement.

It said: "An investigation has been launched after a car being driven by a 13-year-old boy crashed in Eastleigh, Hampshire.

"The car, a Renault Megane, struck another car before hitting a tree on Leigh Road at about 11.25pm on 3 September.

"It is understood the car was being followed by a police car prior to the crash.

"The driver and two passengers, aged 12 and 13, were all injured as well as the driver of the other vehicle, a woman in her 20s.

"Injuries to the boys are described as serious, the injury to the woman is not thought to be serious.

"We were informed of the incident by Hampshire Constabulary on the morning of 4 September and started an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding police involvement prior to the collision.”