A man who fled the scene after a car careered into the front of a Chinese restaurant last night was arrested.
Police said the man, in his 20s, was detained nearby and arrested on suspicion of multiple driving offences including dangerous driving and drug driving.
These dramatic pictures show the aftermath of the incident in Smithdown Road's busy restaurant district last night.
Emergency services including police, an ambulance and a fire engine attended the scene by the Kowloon All You Can Eat Buffet
The black car, a Ford Fiesta, was left embedded in the restaurant window.
Pictures show the car's crumpled bonnet and a deployed airbag, as well as the shattered window of the restaurant. One eyewitness described the sound of the crash as "like a bomb".
Police blocked off the road for more than an hour and buses and motorists were forced to divert around the incident. The road was finally opened at around 11.30pm, but the cordon around the restaurant was expected to remain in place overnight.
The car was later removed by an emergency services recovery vehicle, revealing the extensive damage to the restaurant for the first time and stunned staff inspecting their wrecked workplace.
Once the car was taken away, the damage to the restaurant became clear. Staff appeared shaken and worried about the premises, but were otherwise unharmed.
Although there was no official confirmation of injuries or otherwise, it is believed that paramedics checked a woman who was at the scene, but no one has been seriously injured.
This morning the front of the restaurant was boarded up.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is encouraged to DM @MerPolCC or call 101 quoting 19100390089.
