Frightening footage has shown both a police vehicle and a car completely smashed up following a chase in Edinburgh city centre this morning.
The dramatic incident took place shortly after 10am near Meadowbank in the capital after police "crashed into a Volkswagen when it came round the corner" before those inside tried to "leg it", according to eyewitnesses.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and a section of London Road was closed to all traffic, with diversions currently in place, according to EdinburghLive.
Photos taken at the site show one side of the grey Volkswagen having suffered significant damage as a result of the collision, with all airbags in the vehicle released.
Inside the car, the wooden handle of what appears to be an axe can be clearly seen resting between the driver and passenger seat.
The BMW police vehicle was also seen to have sustained severe damage to the bonnet, with half of the bodywork ripped off revealing the engine.
Airbags had also been inflated inside the police car, with one wheel completely missing from the front left-hand-side of the vehicle.
Debris could be seen to be strewn across the road from both vehicles, with additional emergency services cordoning off a large section of London Road.
Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
