A man reversed onto police officers, drove away at speed but was later caught by police after a car chase, the police said today.

Rapid Intervention Unit officers on road-checks in Cottonera stopped a Skoda Felicia Combi at 11.30pm. The driver first reversed onto the officers and then drove forward again at speed to escape, the police said.

A constable was hit by the car, and a shot was fired in its direction as the driver continued to speed away in the direction of Fgura.

The police chased the man and caught up with him in Hompesch Road.

He was arrested and a search in the car yielded a small amount of cannabis resin and a knife.

The 20-year-old driver of Zejtun was arrested.

The police officer hit by the car was taken to hospital where he was found to have suffered slight injuries.

Magistrate Doreen Clarke is conducting an inquiry.