THIS is the shocking moment a thug appears to punch a police officer to the ground then rams his car before speeding away along a footpath.

Dramatic footage captured by witnesses shows the lone officer striking the male suspect with a baton as he desperately tries to stop him fleeing the scene in Grantham Road, Bradford.

3 The officer falls to the ground in the struggle Credit: DRN

But just as it looked like the officer was getting the upper hand in the struggle, a well-meaning bystander intervened and unintentionally allowed the suspect to get back inside his red Skoda.

Before the officer could react, the suspect reversed into a parked car then slammed into the officer's vehicle before zooming off along the pavement.

Video captured on mobile phones - which emerged on social media on Wednesday - shows the officer chasing the suspect, who makes a dash towards the open driver's door of the Skoda. As the pair struggle, the officer appears to be knocked to the tarmac.

He gets up and pulls out a baton, ordering the suspect to surrender. But the man stands his ground and appears to goad the officer before trying to flee on foot.

3 The man attempted to flee on foot Credit: DRN

Hot on his heels, the officer hits him with the truncheon and the suspect starts throwing punches.

Suddenly, a concerned citizen rushes to get between them, saying "easy, easy".

The suspect takes advantage of the confusion and quickly gets back in his vehicle before the officer can stop him.

He then reverses into a parked car and slams into the side of the police car before accelerating away along the pavement.

In a second clip, the clearly frustrated officer appears to remonstrate with the member of the public who got involved before inspecting the damage to his car.

3 The pair struggle before the man makes escapes in the Skoda Credit: DRN

Social media users reserved their harshest criticism for the bystander, who they blamed for letting the suspect get away.

Michaela Yvette Kelis asked: "Why did that idiot interrupt?"

Brendan Paul Birkett said: "Why did the guy step in? He had thrown the police officer on the floor, he deserved the baton to restrain him."

Dawn Hay fumed: "The guy who interfered should be arrested. He wouldn't have got away otherwise."

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A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Enquiries are ongoing after a police officer was assaulted in Bradford.

"The incident occurred at about 11.35am on Grantham Road after a police officer was assaulted by a male who he was speaking with regarding a traffic matter. The suspect then made off from the scene, damaging a police car in the process.

"The male officer was not seriously injured but was taken to hospital for treatment.

"A number of enquiries into the incident remain ongoing this evening and anyone who saw the assault is asked to contact Bradford Police on 101 referencing crime number 13180366948.

"Information can also be given to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111."

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