PC run over by car theft suspect in Moseley undergoes surgery Published duration 11 August 2019

image copyright Sohail Razaque/PA image caption A man was arrested in Ladypool Road, Sparkbrook, following the attack on Saturday

A police officer run over with his own patrol car by a suspected car thief has undergone surgery and will return to the operating theatre later.

The PC, 42, from West Midlands Police, was punched to the ground and hit by his vehicle as he tried to arrest a man thought to have stolen a Range Rover Sport in Moseley on Saturday.

He suffered serious head injuries, but his condition is not life-threatening.

A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

The force said the officer, who also suffered a broken pelvis, underwent surgery on Saturday night and was expected to have another operation on Sunday.

Supt Tom Joyce said: "It's difficult to give a prognosis at the moment.

"They are certainly potentially life-changing injuries 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."

image copyright @imjustbrum/PA image caption A suspect was arrested in Sparkbrook, about a mile away from the attack in Moseley

The officer has been with West Midlands Police for 17 years and has spent the last 12 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," added the senior officer.

Supt Joyce said an "overriding sentiment of all officers is one of shock" following the incident.

Police said the officer was in Moorcroft Road, Moseley, at about 16:45 BST, tracing the Range Rover, which had been stolen minutes earlier.

They said he was "violently assaulted and punched to the ground - and then run over by the suspect as he jumped behind the wheel of the PC's police patrol vehicle."

image copyright SnapperSK image caption The traffic officer was hurt in Moorcroft Road, Moseley

"It's understood the man drove the marked police car for around a mile into Ladypool Road, Sparkbrook, where he abandoned the vehicle and tried to steal another car," a force spokesman said.

The suspect was later cornered by armed police and Tasered before being arrested.

Police said they had arrested a 29-year-old man, from Hall Green, on suspicion of the attempted murder of a police officer. A 24-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of car theft.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was "appalled" by the "sickening attack."

image copyright SnapperSK image caption The cordoned-off scene in Ladypool Road, Sparkbrook, on Saturday afternoon