A POLICE officer was injured after being hit by a car in Bradford - in what has been described as a "shocking incident".

Police said they were called to a report of a man "acting suspiciously" in a vehicle on Ingleby Road at around 8pm yesterday. 

Officers attended and, as police approached the vehicle, the driver reportedly drove off.

The vehicle was subsequently "in collision with the police officer", according to a spokesperson from West Yorkshire Police.  

The male police officer was taken to hospital with what were described non life-threatening injuries.

He has since been discharged from hospital.

The force spokesperson said the driver failed to stop for officers and a stinger was deployed.

The vehicle then stopped and the driver, a 28-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of attempted assault, failing to stop, dangerous driving and criminal damage.

He remains in police custody at this time.

Superintendent Gareth Crossley, of Bradford District Police, said: "This is a shocking incident in which the police officer is very lucky not to have suffered serious or life-threatening injuries.  

"Assaults on officers who are working to protect the public are wholly unacceptable.  

"Welfare support is being offered to the officer involved."

Councillor Nazam Azam, who represents the City ward on Bradford Council, told the Telegraph & Argus: "There's no place on our roads for this sort of behaviour, no place at all.

"It's absolutely abhorrent that this happened to one of our hard-working officers.

"They put their lives on the line to help protect us all.

"For this to happen is simply appalling.

"We all hope the officer will be OK after what they've been through.

"I hope whoever was responsible for this is brought to justice swiftly."

Police statement in full

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "Police were called to a report of a man acting suspiciously in a vehicle on Ingleby Road Bradford at around 8pm last night.

"Officers attended and, as police approached the vehicle, the driver drove off and the vehicle was in collision with the police officer. 

"The male police officer was taken to hospital with non life threatening injuries. He has since been discharged from hospital.

"The driver failed to stop for officers from the roads policing unit.

"A stinger was deployed, the vehicle stopped and a man was detained. 

"The driver of the vehicle, a 28-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted assault, failing to stop, dangerous driving and criminal damage.

"He remains in police custody at this time."