PART of Clopton Bridge was knocked down as police pursued a car through Stratford.
The driver of the pursued car reportedly performed a handbrake before hitting both the grade I-listed bridge and the police car.
Both officers in the police car suffered slight injures in the pursuit, which was triggered by an ANPR alert, late on Wednesday.
A pregnant woman and a child, who were passengers in the pursued car, also suffered slight injuries.
A 19-year-old man from Bishops Tachbrook was taken into custody after a hospital check up.
A three metre section of wall on the bridge, between the road and the pedestrian walkway, was however reduced to rubble.
The bridge, a scheduled ancient monument, was inspected by a structural engineer overnight and there was concern expressed as to its safety.
As a result, it remained partially closed to traffic on Thursday.
Motorists were able to use the lane from Banbury Road heading into town, but the lane heading out of town and the pedestrian walkway were closed.
Commuters were advised to plan an alternative route and allow extra time for their journey.
A statement from Warwickshire Police said: “Two of our officers were on vehicle patrol in the town when they noticed a suspicious car.
“The driver of the car reportedly failed to stop for us and then reportedly performed a handbrake turn.
“Unknown to us until after the collision was the fact that there was a pregnant woman and an infant in the car.
“Thankfully, they were not seriously injured.”
