Rochdale men jailed after Merseyside police officer injured after being hit by van

Two men from Rochdale have been jailed following an incident in Merseyside in which a police officer was injured after being hit by a van.

Umar Anwar, 31, was convicted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was jailed for 30 months. He was also disqualified from driving for seven years and three months. 

Ahmmad Anwar, 27, was convicted of possession with intent to supply Class A (cocaine) and Class B (cannabis) drugs and was jailed for four years.

On the evening of Tuesday 17 May, it was reported a backpack, suspected to contain cannabis, was in the road on Hewitt Avenue, St Helens.
 

Read more: Two men charged after St Helens police officer injuredPublished: 19 May 2022

 

Read more: Two Rochdale men arrested after officer struck by van in St HelensPublished: 18 May 2022

Emergency and Priority Response officers attended and while a constable was retrieving the bag, he approached a white Ford Transit van whose occupants were acting suspiciously nearby.

The van was then driven at the officer, colliding with him, before being driven away from the scene.

The officer sustained a serious injury to his shoulder, and injuries to his right arm and right leg.  

Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: “These men clearly had no regard for the safety of others, demonstrated by their reckless actions on that night which led to a police officer being seriously injured.

“Our officers put themselves in harm's way every day to protect law-abiding members of the public and while they understand the risks their job carries it is totally unacceptable that they should have to tolerate this level of violence.

“We know the overwhelming majority of people continue to appreciate what Merseyside Police does and I want to once again take the opportunity to thank the members of the public who came to the officer’s aid immediately after the incident and gave us information which was vital to our investigation.

“My message to those who choose to commit violent acts against a police officer is simple: please remember, whatever you think of us, one day you or your families may need our help too.”