Cash machine raid PC hurt in Sandwell sledgehammer attack Published duration 26 August 2014

A policeman was injured when he was attacked by a sledgehammer while responding to a cash machine robbery.

The 41-year-old was responding to the raid at a Tesco Express in Sandwell in the West Midlands when he was attacked.

As the window of his police car was smashed by one of three raiders, the officer was struck in the head and arm, police said.

He suffered multiple cuts, bruising and severe swelling to his face and arm but has been discharged from hospital.

Boot open

Tools used in the attempted raid late on Sunday night were left at the scene in Hamstead Road and have been seized by police for forensic examination.

Ch Insp Harvi Khatkar from West Midlands Police, said: "As the gang drove off, the boot of the car was open. People who were in the area at the time may remember this.

"I'd urge those people to get in touch along with anyone who saw a dark coloured estate in the area before the crime."

The gang who carried out the botched raid fled in a dark-coloured, high powered, Audi A6 estate which was using false number plates.