A police officer has been left with serious injuries after being struck by a car in Whakatane this morning.

Two teens have been arrested in relation to the incident and the officer involved is currently in hospital with 'a serious injury” to his leg.

The incident occurred shortly after 8am this morning, after police implemented a plan to spike the car on the corner of Bracken Street and McGarvey Road. It was at this point police say the driver 'deliberately” drove into a patrol vehicle, hitting the officer.

The offending vehicle was targeted after allegedly being unlawfully taken from Palmerston North. Police spotted the vehicle, also linked to a number of other offences across the district, along SH30 earlier in the morning.

The driver fled the scene, despite hitting the officer, but was eventually halted by another spike deployment a short distance away, near the Whakatane River Bridge.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Stuart Nightingale says this type of behaviour is deeply concerning and shows the danger police officers face every day.

"Our people have families they leave every day to come to work to do a good job and keep our community safe,” says Stuart.

'They deserve to go home safely at the end of the day, and it's unacceptable that this degree of force is used against an officer in the execution of his duty.

"Ensuring the officer is supported throughout his recovery is our priority.

"Our thoughts are with the staff member involved, his family, and the rest of his team at this time."

Two occupants in the vehicle, aged 17 and 18, were taken into custody.

The incident is being treated as serious and CIB are now investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 105 or via Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.