Witness appeal after collision

Police are appealing for witnesses after a Police Community Support Officer was involved in a collision with a car in Rochdale.

In the afternoon of Friday 7 August 2015, a silver Mercedes E320 was seen a number of times driving around the Town Centre and Deeplish areas of Rochdale with what appeared to be fake registration plates.

At approximately 4:30pm the same day, a PCSO was walking along Milkstone Road, Deeplish when he spotted the same vehicle. As the PCSO approached the car, the driver of the vehicle drove directly at him, striking him in the leg and knocking him to the ground.

The driver of the Mercedes drove away from the scene and the PCSO was taken to hospital a short while later where he was found to have a sprained ankle and bruising.

There are believed to have been at least four people men in the car who are all described as white men.

Detective Constable Gabriel Gibson of GMP’s Rochdale Division said: “This incident could have had fatal consequences for the PCSO as it seems the offender has deliberately driven almost two tonnes of vehicle directly at him and caused injuries which required hospital treatment.

“I am appealing for any witnesses to the incident or anybody with any information regarding to please come forward and contact police. Any information they hold, could be vital to the investigation.”

Anyone with any information is asked to police on 0161 856 8595 quoting incident 1556 of 07/08/15 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.