A police officer today described his heartache at not being able to play with his baby daughter after being injured when his police van was rammed by a stolen car.

PC Steve Armatage faces surgery and up to a year off front line duties after suffering a suspected fractured shoulder blade during Bonfire Night disturbances in Bradford.

The 32-year-old, based at Odsal police station, has been off work for two months and is now restricted to answering the phone and other office duties.

But he says his personal life has also been turned upside down by the incident.

"It affects almost everything. I can't play with my five-month-old daughter for more than about ten minutes," said PC Armatage, a serving officer for nine years.

"I can't pick her up and hold her. I can't even bathe her because you have to use your arm to support her in the bath. I really feel like I'm missing out.

"I have difficulty getting off to sleep and I have very broken sleep."

He said his injury made driving difficult and activities such as decorating were now out of the question. He has also had to drop his hobby of scuba diving and resign from his gym. It could be more than 12 months before he can resume his duties as a member of Odsal Police Division's Community Safety Action Team.

During the Bonfire Night disturbances buses and cars were stoned, vehicles torched and a fire engine attacked. Police have been criticised because no-one was prosecuted.

Odsal's Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Simon Willsher, said the behaviour of a small minority of hooligans was "premeditated and lawless" and the hit-and-run approach and the labyrinthine nature of the streets enabled offenders to escape.

An investigation team was set up and nine arrests were made but there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.

Chief Supt Willsher confirmed several of his officers came under attack, including some subjected to petrol bombing.

PC Armatage said he was frustrated the violent outbursts had left him unable to do the job he loved.

He said: "There was no reason for lads in West Bowling to start throwing bricks and target the police by ramming our vehicle. There was no provocation. It was just wanton damage. It could have been worse because we also had a petrol bomb thrown at the van but it didn't ignite."

PC Armatage was preparing to leave the police van when it was rammed. The impact threw him back into his seat, injuring his left shoulder.

He said: "The doctors think I've got a fractured shoulder blade. I've also got a lump on my shoulder which could be a piece of bone growing through the muscle. I'm restricted to light duties and can't even answer the phone with my left arm."

He is now waiting for a scan and is receiving treatment at St Luke's Hospital, Bradford. He said medical experts told him the injury would require an operation and take months to heal.

Sergeant Adrian Denby, of Odsal Police, said: "We had stopped opposite a back alley because the road ahead had been blocked by a gang of youths. The next thing we knew a stolen car came screeching out of the alley and rammed into the van."

West Yorkshire Police say fewer officers are taking time off sick through illness or injury. In 1997/8 2,820 days were lost after a total of 124 officers were assaulted while on duty. However, the following year, the number dropped to a total of 803 days lost by 38 officers.

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