CCTV: Officer Hit By Car

Kent Police is releasing both footage and a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak with which was captured immediately prior to an incident in Southborough, near Tunbridge Wells in West Kent, on Friday 9 December, in which a police officer was injured.

The officer, who was on patrol with a colleague, was hurt when he approached a young man who was about to drive out of Springfield Road into London Road. The officer stood in front of the car, which drove at him, with the officer ending up on the bonnet.

The car continued towards Tonbridge and the officer's colleague and a member of the public ran after it. They found the officer lying unconscious in the road about 300 metres from where the incident occurred.  

The vehicle is believed to be a silver Vauxhall, possibly an Astra, four door hatchback, and is thought to be a 55 number plate. The driver of the car is described as having receding short black hair, of small build and in his mid twenties. He was wearing blue jeans and a red hooded top.  

The police officer was bruised in the incident but he was not seriously injured and has since been released from hospital.Inspector Justin Watts of Kent Police comments: "I would ask members of the public to study the image and footage captured just a few minutes before the incident occurred. The suspect visited both Tesco Metro and the Kebab shop in Southborough immediately prior to the incident. I would urge anyone who recognises the man pictured to contact us or alternatively the suspect may wish to come forward and ease his conscience. If anyone recognises the description of the car and/or the driver or saw what happened, they are asked to contact Detective Sergeant Karen Festing on 01732 379141 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."