The female police officer killed in a vehicle crash on while duty overnight in Sydney’s inner-west has been described as a “well-loved” officer and an “angel”.

Mia Lay, 20, was only 16 months into her policing career when she died on Friday morning while on duty.

A NSW police vehicle was travelling along Gibbons Street in Sydney’s inner west suburb of Redfern at approximately 1.30am on Friday morning.

The officers were responding to a report of a stolen vehicle in the nearby suburb of Glebe.

The car’s lights and sirens were on and NSW Police said it was “fully marked”.

Tragically, the vehicle crashed into a tree.

Ms Lay, who was a passenger, died instantly.

The driver, a 24-year-old male constable, was treated at the scene by paramedics for facial injuries before he was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a stable condition.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon offered his condolences to Ms Lay’s friends, family, and colleagues.

“Our deepest thoughts, sympathies, and condolences are with you,” he said.

“There is nothing I can say easily that takes the pain away but the police know that Mia was a well-loved police officer.”

He said, although early into her career, Mia had “shown exceptional promise”.

Mr Lanyon called her death a “terrible tragedy”.

“Today is a terribly difficult day,” he said.

“To Mia, thank you for your courage.

“Thank you for choosing to join the NSW Police Force, and thank you for serving the community of NSW.

“You will not be forgotten.”

Through tears, Police Minister Yasmin Catley offered her condolences to Mia’s friends and colleagues.

“We’ve lost a beautiful, young, enthusiastic, and — what I’ve been told — a wonderful police officer,” she said.

She said support was provided to officers from Mascot Station this morning, and members of the police would continue to be supported in the wake of the tragedy.

Ms Catley said Ms Lay’s parents were “in shock” when she met with them on Friday morning.

“Her mother said she was in such a good place and loving life,” Ms Catley said.

She said the parents told her that Ms Lay loved her job, and that colleagues described her as “an angel”.

“We ask so much of our police and, I often say, it’s a job like no other,” she said.

“But to not go home, to lose one of our precious police is a very, very sad and dark day.”

A crime scene has been established and the crash has been declared a “critical incident”.

Mr Lanyon said investigators remained at the scene.

“The actual circumstances of the collision remain unknown,” he said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns described the incident as “devastating”.

“My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the officer who has lost her life,” Mr Minns said.

“Every day our police officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep the rest of us safe.”

NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane said she was “heartbroken” at the news of Ms Lay’s death.

“She was out working while most of us were asleep, protecting the community,” she said.

“Our police put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect us. Today, we stand with them as they mourn one of their own.”

Live Traffic is reporting that Regent Street is closed in both directions between Lawson Street and Cleveland Street, with motorists advised to use an alternative route and allow extra travel time.

Anyone with any information or footage is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.