United Kingdom: Police officer hit by car trying to stop Solihull fuel thief
Officers tried to grab man's keys but he drove off. A motorist has been arrested after a police officer was flung across the front of a car as he tried stopping a suspected fuel thief speeding away from a petrol station.
West Midlands Police was called to the BP garage in Stratford Road, Shirley, at around 1am on Friday by suspicious staff.
When police approached the driver, he jumped behind the wheel and tried to drive away.
One of the officers reached inside the driver’s door in a bid to grab the keys but he was struck by the vehicle − believed to be running on false plates.
He later needed hospital treatment for cuts and bruising.
A response officer colleague pursued the driver along Stratford Road and into Bills Lane where he was arrested following a brief foot chase.
A 44-year-old man from Solihull is currently in police custody where he is being questioned in connection with the incident.
Solihull Police Chief Insp Jack Hadley, said: “Garage staff called us believing this man was a serial fuel thief and that he was trying to make off without paying.
“We had night shift patrol officers there very quickly and were able to intercept the motorist while he was still on the forecourt.
“Thankfully the officer sustained only minor injuries but clearly it could have been much worse.”
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