Two men have been arrested after stealing a vehicle then driving at police officers and police dogs who pursued them, injuring an officer in the process in Woodford.
Police were called on Wednesday, 30 January at 03:37hrs to reports of vehicle being stolen from Fitzalan Road, N3.
Two officers from the Met’s Dog Support Unit (DSU) responded and managed to track down the vehicle driving on Woodford New Road, E18.
As they approached and turned on their blue lights, the suspect rammed into the police vehicle before driving off.
Officers pursued the vehicle which proceeded to drive into a dead end in Rokeby Gardens, IG8.
One officer exited his vehicle and approached the stolen car, but as he did the suspect drove at him. He was able to move out of the way, and used his baton to break the stolen vehicle’s window as it passed.
The suspect turned around in the dead end and drove directly at the police vehicle which was stationery, pushing it backwards some distance, before crashing into a garden nearby.
The driver of the vehicle – a 23-year-old male was subsequently arrested on suspicion of Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and taking a vehicle and driving away (TDA).
Another occupant within the stolen vehicle fled, but was tracked and detained by a police dog shortly after in St Albans Road, IG8.
The 21-year-old passenger was arrested on suspicion of TDA and motor vehicle interference.
Both suspects have been taken to an east London police station where they remain in custody.
One male officer suffered an injury to his hand and abdomen. His injuries are not life-threatening.
Both intrepid Met police Dogs were uninjured and remain in normal duty.
This incident shows the level of violent that car thieves are willing to use in order to get away from the police and highlights just why such violent offenders should face lengthy custodial sentences.
These callous & cowardly thieves will do anything they can in order to try and escape from the police.
Chief Superintendent Karen Findlay from the Met’s Taskforce said:
“This is yet another example of the daily proactive and courageous work our Taskforce dog handlers carry out to tackle violent crime across London.
“On this occasion the two Police Constables who responded, and their trusted canine partners, went above and beyond to ensure these suspects were apprehended despite the violent efforts directed at them. These suspects deliberately drove the stolen vehicle at the dog van and officers to avoid capture.
“The officers showed significant levels of bravery and we are ensuring all the deserved support and welfare is in place.”
If you have a story, video or one-off blog that you would like to share with us, then you can contact our team of former emergency services & armed forces personnel either through our Facebook page, via Twitter ( @ES_News_ ) or you can contact us via email: contact@emergency-services.news
If you run or manage a ‘job’ social media account and you would like us to share one of your stories then send us a tweet or a message!
If you would like to write an article that you would like us to share (it can be about anything to do with the emergency services / NHS) whether you serve in the emergency services / NHS or whether you are a member of the public who has had a good experience with the emergency services, then feel free to contact our team; anonymously if you prefer.
We are proud to act as a voice for the emergency services, armed forces & health service, with over 500,000 people visiting our website each month.
Before you go...
WE NEED YOUR HELP.Here at Emergency Services News, we aim to tell you stories that the mainstream media are not interested in reporting. Whilst the MSM love to berate and ridicule the emergency services, who is there to report on the realities of serving on the front line?
Emergency Services News is currently a loss-making entity. But our team of volunteers, all former emergency services personnel, do not do it for the money.
We do it because we are sick and tired of the mainstream media constantly trying to undermine the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep you and your family safe.
How many MSM journalists who speak ill of the emergency services have actually dared to don the uniform and risk their own lives to save the life of a complete stranger? If you would like to help back our mission of reporting on fact-based news, then please consider helping to support us financially.
You can support emergency services news from as little as £1. It only takes a minute. Every contribution, however big or small, is vital for our future.
Please help us to continue to highlight the life-saving work of the emergency services, NHS and armed forces by becoming a supporter.
