The police watchdog, the IOPC, has said it will “thoroughly examine” the circumstances that led to an 11-year-old boy being hit by a police car.

Lancashire Police said they were attending an emergency call when one of their vans hit the boy who was crossing Owen Road just before 8.30pm.

The boy was taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary where he remains in a critical condition.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said initial evidence indicates the officer driving had activated his emergency equipment at the time the crash occurred.

IOPC regional director Catherine Bates said: “This is an incredibly tragic incident and my thoughts are with the boy, his family and all those affected by the incident.

“There is a mandatory requirement for forces to refer incidents like this to us, which result in death or serious injury, and our investigation will thoroughly examine the circumstances prior to the collision, including whether appropriate policies and procedures were followed.”

Chief Supt Karen Edwards, Divisional Commander said: "You will be aware that yesterday evening a young child was involved in a collision with a police vehicle in Lancaster and I want to give you an update but before I go into detail the most important thing to say is that my thoughts and prayers are with this little boy and with his family.  ​

"The collision happened at just before 8.30pm on Owen Road in Lancaster at the junction with Torrisholme Road and involved a marked police Peugeot 308 hatchback which was responding to an emergency call.​

"The boy, who is 11-years-old and from the local area, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and later transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

"He remains in a critical condition and as I said our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time. They are being supported by specially trained officers.​

"I appreciate there will be lots of questions about what has happened and why and I want to reassure you that a full and thorough investigation will be carried out to establish the circumstances.​

"We have referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and they will be carrying out an independent investigation. We will, of course, co-operate fully with them but there may be some details we can’t go into as they will be subject to the IOPC investigation.​

"I want to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their understanding and support during what was clearly a hugely distressing incident.​

"There will be extra patrols in and around the area today and over the weekend and anyone with information or concerns should feel free to approach an officer."

Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage should contact 101.