TWO police officers have been injured after a car was deliberately driven at them after a routine stop. 

This incident painfully highlights the dangers officer face every day when protecting the public. 

At about 10.50pm on Sunday 24 February 2013, the two police officers pulled over what is believed to have been a red Hyundai on Rochdale Road in Harpurhey that was travelling at excess speed. 

However, as the two officers got out to approach the car the offending vehicle reversed - deliberately colliding with the two officers, who are both men. The car then drove off. 

One of the officers was able to use his radio to call for help and extra patrols were sent to the scene, along with paramedics. 

Both officers were taken to hospital for treatment. One of the officers has sustained a fractured wrist which will need surgery. The other officer has suffered a fractured skull and bleed to the brain, and remains in a stable condition although his injury is not believed to be life-threatening. 

As a result of inquiries made by officers from Greater Manchester Police and assisted by Lancashire Police, a warrant was later executed in the Haslingden area of Lancashire where two men were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. 

Both remain in police custody for questioning. A car has also been recovered for forensic analysis. 

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said: "This incident painfully highlights the dangers officer face every day when protecting the public. What should have been a routine vehicle stop resulted in two officers being deliberately driven at and suffering serious injuries. 



Meanwhile in another, and unrelated, incident an off duty police officer was assaulted after challenging a man about smoking on the tram. 

At about 1am on Saturday 23 February 2013, the 45-year-old off duty officer was with two friends on the tram at Altrincham station. 

A group of about six men were on the platform, one of who was smoking at the doors to the tram. 

The man informed him that he was not allowed to smoke on the tram or the platform, prompting the offender to become verbally abusive. 

As the tram set off, the man identified himself as a police officer and asked whether the man had a valid tram ticket, to which he replied “no”. 

A second member from the group then started acting aggressively towards the man due to him being a police officer and he was then knocked to the floor. 

The man’s friend, a 48-year-old man, intervened and was also knocked to the ground. During the ensuing melee both the off duty officer and his friend were assaulted, with the former suffering cuts and bruises and the latter sustaining two black eyes and a cut to his nose. 

Detective Constable Lee Attenborough, said: “The victim took exception to the offenders loutish behaviour and when he challenged them was met with a barrage of abuse. 

“This continued when he identified himself as a police officer and even led to him and his friend being assaulted. 

“If anyone recognises anyone from the CCTV images I would urge them to get in touch.” 

The pictures on this page refer to the tram assault only.