Shocking CCTV shows the moment a stolen car is reversed into a police officer

Police are hunting the driver of stolen car that was deliberately reversed into a police officer.

Shocking footage shows the BMW 2 Series reverse into the officer after he approached it while it was stationary at traffic lights in Accrington, Lancashire, at 8.50pm on November 29.

The officer suffered series leg injuries and had to have surgery.

CCTV footage shows the grey BMW 218i with the registration SH14 WEL reverse down the road away from police before crashing after turning a corner.

A man can be seen running from the crashed vehicle up Avenue Parade and police believe he then headed away from Accrington town centre on foot.

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Detective Sergeant Phil McGauley said: “This is being treated as a deliberate attack on a police officer trying to detain the driver of a stolen vehicle. The car was taken from a burglary at an address in Accrington in the early hours of the 29th.

“Our officers and staff routinely put themselves in harm’s way as they carry out their duties serving our communities and protecting the public. It should not be seen as simply part of the job. Our thoughts remain with our injured colleague and his family at this difficult time and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

The force said a 38-year-old man arrested a short time after the offence was released without charge.

A 24-year-old man from Accrington arrested on suspicion of burglary, a 24-year-old man from Burnley arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and a 19-year-old man from Burnley arrested on suspicion of assault and burglary have been released under investigation pending further inquiries.