A woman is facing a multiple charges after trying to steal a police car in Christchurch tonight while drunk.

A police spokeswoman says they were notified of an allegedly intoxicated woman attempting to drive on Wainoni Road in Avondale about 7.10pm.

She says when police arrived the woman refused to be breath tested and was placed in the back of a police vehicle.

The police spokeswoman told Chris Lynch as the officer walked around to the driver’s door, the woman climbed into the front and stole the vehicle.

She has then collided with several parked cars before coming to a stop moments later.

The police spokeswoman says the police vehicle sustained considerable damage and had to be towed from the scene.

There were no reported injuries.

The woman is expected to face multiple charges.