A police constable who was run over by a suspected car thief is facing “potentially life-changing” injuries, a senior officer has said.
The 42-year-old traffic officer from West Midlands Police suffered a broken pelvis and head, abdominal and other internal injuries and will return to the operating theatre later on Sunday.
A 29-year-old man remains in custody after being detained on suspicion of the attempted murder of the police officer.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was “appalled” by the “sickening attack” on the officer, who underwent surgery on Saturday evening.
The force said his condition is not life-threatening, adding: “We don’t know his long-term prognosis at this stage and our best wishes remain with him and his family at this difficult time.”
Superintendent Tom Joyce said the overriding sentiment of all officers at the force is one of shock – adding that the culprit can expect to face “the full weight of the judicial system”.
Police said the traffic officer was in Moorcroft Road, Moseley, tracing a Range Rover Sport which had been stolen minutes earlier from a woman.
The force said that as the officer attempted to arrest the suspect at about 4.45pm on Saturday, he was “violently assaulted and punched to the ground”.
He was then run over by the suspect as he got behind the wheel of the officer’s marked patrol car, the force added.
Patel tweeted: “I am appalled by the sickening attack on one of our brave police officers @WMPolice.
“My thoughts are with the officer and his family. I wish him a good recovery and I am being kept informed of the situation following this attack.”
West Midlands Police said it is understood the man drove the vehicle for around a mile into Ladypool Road, Sparkbrook, where he abandoned it and tried to steal another car.
Back-up officers, including armed police, cornered the suspect, who was Tasered and arrested.
The 29-year-old man, from Hall Green was detained along with a 24-year-old man who has been arrested for car theft, the force said.
Regarding the health of the police officer, Joyce said: “Without going into great detail, we know that he suffered a broken pelvis and some other internal injuries as a result of the incident.
“It’s difficult to give a prognosis at the moment. They are certainly potentially life-changing – but we are relieved to say, we understand they are not believed to be life-threatening.
“His wife is aware of the incident and is with him at this time.”
Addressing how the officer’s colleagues are feeling, Joyce said: “I think the overriding sentiment of all officers is one of shock.
“These incidents fortunately don’t happen every day and they are not incredibly common – but when they do happen they are very sobering because it reminds everyone just how dangerous the profession of policing can be.
“It is often said that the danger people run away from, officers have to run towards and certainly on this occasion, officers were met with an extremely violent individual who has caused very significant injuries.
“I think those who know the officer know he has invested his entire career in trying to tackle car thieves, burglars, and those sort of offenders who cause the most harm to our society.
“He was doing what he has done diligently for many, many years now.”
Joyce continued: “He has been with West Midlands Police for 17 years now, of which the last 12 he has been serving as a traffic officer.
“He’s a second generation police officer – his father served with West Midlands Police as well – so policing is in his blood. It’s his calling if you will.
“I think most officers who have served a career of that length will at some point have suffered some sort of injury and faced violence.
“But certainly this is going to be the most significant injuries he has faced.”
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.
“Attacks on our officers and staff won’t be tolerated and we will always seek the toughest possible criminal justice outcome for offenders.”
The incident comes just days after Metropolitan Police officer Stuart Outten was left with head and hand injuries after challenging a motor offences suspect allegedly armed with a machete in east London.
Muhammad Rodwan, 56, has been charged with the attempted murder of PC Outten, 28, and possession of an offensive weapon following the incident in Leyton just after midnight on Thursday.