Police hunt hit-and-run driver after officer is hit and 'seriously injured' by car in Walsall
Police are hunting a hit-and-run driver after an officer was hit and seriously injured by a car that left the scene and was later found abandoned.
The police officer had attempted to speak to the driver of a car in Reservoir Place, Walsall, at around 10.30am on Saturday.
He was then hit by the car and "pushed" against a police vehicle.
The driver made off in the car, which was later found abandoned.
The Walsall-based officer was taken to hospital with "serious leg injuries". Another officer also received treatment but was not badly hurt.
West Midlands Police said "immediate enquiries" to identify and trace the driver are underway.
Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby of the Walsall Local Policing Area (LPA) said: "An officer has been injured while going about their duties and this is completely unacceptable.
"We are waiting for further updates on the extent of his injuries and our thoughts are with them and their family. We'll be offering them all the support we can, alongside colleagues who were there at the time."
Anyone with information about the incident should contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat on the force's website, or by calling 101, and quoting log 1403 of February 24.
Chair of the West Midlands Police Federation, Richard Cooke, said the incident makes him feel "sick to his stomach".
Speaking to the Express & Star, Mr Cooke said: "We are obviously very concerned about it. I am going down to Walsall in a bit to hopefully see the officer in hospital.
"They have secured the scene and I think there is going to have to be a manhunt for the suspect.
"These sorts of attacks are like attacks on the whole of society because the officers are working on behalf of the public. We just can't function if we haven't got the ability to do our jobs."
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, also expressed his best wishes to the injured officer.
In a statement to X, formerly Twitter, Mr Foster said: “My thoughts are with the injured officer and his family.
“I know they will be provided with all the support needed at this time. I encourage members of the public to report any relevant information direct to West Midlands Police."
