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

Greater Manchester police said the 43-year-old officer was taken to hospital with leg injuries after he was run down while attending reports of a disturbance in Blackley on Thursday morning. He is now recovering at home.

Police were called to a flat on Sandyhill Road shortly after 7.30am. Officers attempted to speak to a man driving a black Citroën Berlingo van towards Blackley New Road but the van collided with the officer, three police vehicles and five cars belonging to members of the public before driving off towards Newton Heath.

A police spokesman said two men aged 23 and two girls aged 16 and 17 had been arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault and theft of a motor vehicle. The vehicle was later recovered and is being forensically examined.

Supt Chris Hill, of GMP’s City of Manchester division, said: “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.”

Chief constable Ian Hopkins said earlier: “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.”

