A man who was hit by a police van while on his way home says he has been stopped several times because his smart clothes make him look “like a drug dealer”.

Shane Darr, 19, was walking back from a night at the pub with two friends in Medway Street, Gillingham, when a police van pulled in front of them.

Mr Darr alleges that the vehicle then mounted the pavement, reversed and collided with him.

The former Brompton Academy pupil, who works for Thames Water, was taken to Medway hospital by ambulance and spent hours undergoing tests with severe internal bruising.

The incident is being investigated by the police’s professional standards department.

Mr Darr, of Richmond Road, Gillingham, believes he was stopped because of the way he looks as he often wears designer labels, such as Armani, Nike and Duffer.

He said: “It’s not the first time I’ve been stopped.

“I’ve been told before by officers I look like a drug dealer because of the designer clothes.

“I have never taken drugs. I have never been arrested and I have a good job, I like to spend my money on designer clothes.

“I have been stopped three or four times by officers in Medway while out and they stop to search me because they think I am a drug dealer.

“This incident left me shocked and scared and I did freak out a bit when they put me in the ambulance. I think I hit my head when I was knocked over.

“I tried to get out of the ambulance as I was scared and thought someone was trying to kill me, but I was then bundled to the floor by four or five officers and they handcuffed me.”

After arriving at the hospital, Mr Darr claims the officers appeared only interested in finding out if he was under the influence of drugs and after tests came back negative, they left.

He has not been arrested and is not facing any charges.

He claims an internal investigation has been launched by Kent Police.

Mr Darr added: “I am not happy I keep getting stopped, I was just walking home after enjoying a night out with friends, I’d done nothing wrong.”

A police spokeswoman said: “Officers on patrol in Gillingham came across two men involved in an altercation in Medway Road at 12.45am on 25 March.

“As officers intervened one of the men sustained minor injuries after coming into contact with a police vehicle which had been parked moments earlier.

“The incident has been referred to Kent Police’s Professional Standards Department and officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are investigating.