A West Midlands Police officer has been seriously injured after being run over by a suspected car thief in Birmingham today (10 August).
The traffic cop was in Moorcroft Road, Moseley, at 4.45pm having traced a suspected stolen Range Rover Sport taken just minutes earlier from a woman on a shopping trip.
But as he moved in to arrest the man he was violently assaulted and punched to the ground – and then run over by the suspect as he jumped behind the wheel of the PC’s police patrol vehicle.
It’s understood the man drove the marked police car for around a mile into Ladypool Road, Sparkbrook, where he abandoned the vehicle and tried to steal another car.
However, he was cornered by police back-up – including armed police – and Tasered before being arrested.
The man – who so far has refused to provide any personal details – has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Boycott, said: “This is a shocking attack in which a member of our police family has been seriously hurt while trying to detain a crime suspect.
“I’m heading to the hospital now to get an update on his condition and offer whatever support I can to him and his family.
“Attacks on our officers and staff won’t be tolerated and we will always seek the toughest possible criminal justice outcome for offenders.”