Police officer seriously injured on A419
Police are appealing for witnesses following an incident in which a police officer received serious injuries.
Last updated 27th Apr 2022
Officers were responding to a vehicle being driven on the wrong carriageway on the A419 at about 12.40am early today (26/04).
The car was stopped by officers, but in his attempt to drive off, the suspect has caused serious injury to one officer.
The officer was taken to Great Western Hospital in Swindon to be treated for her injuries which are serious but not life threatening. She has since been discharged.
The other officer was also taken to hospital for assessment, but was thankfully not injured.
A 39-year-old man was arrested after a short pursuit, on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving, as well as a number of related driving offences and is currently in police custody.
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner has responded. Phillip Wilkinson said: "Those who put their lives on the line to defend, protect and keep communities safe should not have to fear for their life as they carry out their job.
“To hear a police officer has sustained serious injury at the hands of someone they were trying to apprehend saddens me greatly. I hope the officer makes a good recovery and is able to return to duty as soon as they are able but we must not under-estimate the mental effects, which can be long-lasting.
“We are all grateful the police officer escaped life-threatening injuries and has been able to return to their family but that shouldn’t detract from the fact this is utterly unacceptable – and the situation could so easily have been different. We all know of similar cases where the victim was not so fortunate.
“I have always been clear: any person assaulting an emergency service worker should expect to be prosecuted and feel the full force of the justice system. There is simply no excuse.”