Appeal to driver who hit Pc

Police believe they know the identity of the driver

Northamptonshire Police is urging a motorist who ran into an officer on foot to come forward.

Pc Gareth Cox was in Northampton town centre at 2245 GMT on Saturday when he saw a man wanted for questioning in connection with several driving offences.

He tried to stop the red Honda, but it crashed into him, throwing him over the top of the vehicle and leaving him unconscious in the road.

Pc Cox said: "I don't know how long I was unconscious, but I remember feeling cold and wet and I was told that members of the public had covered me with their coats."

Police 'shocked'

He was taken to Northampton General Hospital where he was treated for ligament and muscle damage and severe bruising, but he said he did not become upset until he spoke with his wife on Sunday.

"I accept that some of the things I have to do in my job are risky, but not stopping a car in the town centre at night, in full uniform, with lots of people around", he said.

Chief Superintendent Ken Willis said: "Officers in the frontline of policing put themselves at risk in serving the public and that it is only by luck that the officer's injuries were not far more serious.

"This officer was simply trying to do his job on behalf of local people and I am deeply shocked that someone should do this to one of our officers."

Police discovered the car at around 0830 GMT on Sunday parked in Albion Place.