A MAN has been arrested after a BMW crashed into flats in Portswood.

The white BMW 316 smashed into The Newlands in Portswood Road.

The road has been cordoned off between Brickfield Road and Kitchener Road and remains closed to ensure the structural stability of the building, police have said.

A 46-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving and criminal damage after police were called to the crash at 1.25am.

He remains in custody.

READ MORE: Road closed as police cordon set up - Live updates

Neighbours described hearing a commotion in the early hours and "a lot of noise".

A resident said: "I heard a lot of noise really early this morning, it woke me up and I couldn't get back to sleep. I'm pretty sure it was a car crash, it seems quite serious." 

"I dont know what has happened but I noticed the commotion when I woke up this morning," another one said.

"Police have been coming and going, the traffic has been chaos and people cannot get through and have to turn around."

Note: Police had originally said that the arrested person was a woman

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook