Manchester police officer mown down by van in 'shocking incident'

Four arrested as injured 43-year-old released from hospital

Sandyhill Road in Manchester's Blackley area (Google Street View)

Four people have been arrested after a police officer was mown down by a van in Manchester.

The 43-year-old officer was taken to hospital with a leg injury following the “terrible incident”, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said. He later arrived back at work supported by crutches, though bosses sent him home to recover.

Police appealed for witnesses following the crash in the Blackley area at about 7.30am today and have since arrested four people – two 23-year-old men and two girls, aged 16 and 17. They were all detained on suspicion of assault and theft of a motor vehicle are are in custody.

GMP said officers were called to reports of a disturbance at a home in Sandyhill Road, Blackley, this morning and attended “immediately”.

They saw a black Citroen Berlingo van drive towards Blackley New Road and tried to speak to the driver, the force said, before the van struck the officer and “several vehicles belonging to members of the public and police”.

The van was later recovered in the Newton Heath area.

Superintendent Chris Hill, of GMP’s City of Manchester division, said in a statement: “Thanks to the quick work of officers from across the force, we’ve been able to make four arrests and I would like to thank them along with the public for their support throughout the morning.

“Whilst the injured officer came straight back into work from hospital on his new crutches, he’s been sent home to recover with his family and we all wish him a speedy recovery.

“Our investigation remains ongoing and I would continue to urge anyone with any information that could assist our investigation to please get in touch.”

Blackley New Road was closed at the junction with Delauneys Road while enquiries were conducted.

Anyone with information should call GMP on 0161 856 3610 or 101, quoting incident number 395 of today’s (Thursday’s) date. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins added: “This is a shocking incident from the early hours of this morning that has left one of my officers in hospital.

“Officers put their lives on the line to protect people and property and the consequences of this incident could have been much more serious.

“I hope that any member of the local community that knows anything about this will help to ensure we can catch the offenders as soon as possible.”