An officer struck by a vehicle this morning in the Bay of Plenty is being flown to Waikato Hospital after sustaining leg injuries.

He was hit by a fleeing vehicle at the intersection of State Highway 30 and Kope Drain Rd in Awakeri, Whakatane area.

The car was being sought by Police in connection with a petrol drive-off, but the driver failed to stop when instructed to, says Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander, Kevin Taylor.

'The Constable was laying road spikes at the time as part of the Police response to the fleeing driver.

'Police then found the offending vehicle and later located the diver in Whakatane town centre.”

Kevin says a 26-year-old man is being spoken to by investigators.

'Police would like to thank the public for their assistance.

'The Serious Crash Unit will investigate and Eastern Bay of Plenty Police are providing support to the injured officer and his family.”