POLICE are praising members of the public for coming to the aid of an officer left seriously injured after being ’dragged’ along by van last night.

At around 8.05pm on Tuesday, May 17, officers were alerted to a backpack, suspected to contain cannabis, which was left in the road on Hewitt Avenue.

Upon arrival at around 8.15pm, one officer went to retrieve the bag, whilst another officer indicated that they would carry out a search of a Ford Transit van as its occupants were reported to be acting suspiciously. the scene on Hewitt Avenue after a backpack, suspected to full of cannabis, was reported As the officer reached into the vehicle to carry out the search, the driver of the van reportedly drove away, "dragging" the officer along the road.

The officer sustained a serious injury to his shoulder and wrist and has undergone surgery in hospital where his condition is described as stable.

Immediately after the incident, members of the public came out to the aid of the officer, with senior police now praising the community for their efforts.

Speaking to the Star, Acting Chief Constable Paul White said: “Firstly we want to thank the public for calling the initial incident in in the first place about the backpack and then further thank the members of the public who came to the officer’s aid immediately after he sustained an injury, we really appreciate that.

“He’s undergone surgery this morning and we are hopeful of a full recovery.

“We also must say that the call from the public as to seeing two men running into woods nearby alerted us quickly as to where two men were and allowed us to get there in time to detain them.

“This kind of incident is absolutely unacceptable and has a massive impact on officers physical and mental health and that of their colleagues and family members.

“We have CCTV of the incident but would once again like to appeal for the public to help us if they do have any other CCTV footage or dashcam footage to come forward and help us with the investigation.

“We would once again like to especially thank the members of the public who came out to support our injured officer, we really do appreciate the support of the community “The officers accept as part of their job that they put themselves into potentially harmful situations to help the public whether that’s aggression, violence or anything else, but to have support back from the public when an incident does occur means a lot.”

Two men from Rochdale, aged 26 and 30, were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and were taken into custody to be questioned.

The 30-year-old has now also been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs (cocaine and cannabis).

The vehicle, which was left on Ecclesfield Road, has been recovered for forensic examination.

In an earlier statement, ACC Paul White said: “My message to those who carry out violence against police is clear: please remember, whatever you think of us, one day you or your families may need our help too.

“The consequences of this incident could have been even worse, but I am pleased to say that the officer is receiving the care he needs from medical professionals, and he will continue to receive our full support as he recovers from this terrible incident.”

Anyone with information, or CCTV footage can get in touch with police on Twitter via DM @MerPolCC, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook quoting with reference 22000339976. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.