Officers dragged by reversing car during attempted arrest in Suffolk
Suffolk officers recount near-tragic confrontation with suspected drug dealer
Two police officers in Suffolk have shared their harrowing experience after being dragged by a reversing car during an attempted arrest of a suspected drug dealer.
Police Constables Steve Coughlan and Owen Turner revealed how a community-based patrol quickly escalated into a dangerous confrontation late last year.
The pair came across a vehicle linked to drug supply, according to intelligence.
Owen Turner, 23, who has three years' service, explained, “You couldn't write it - by chance, the car drove straight past us.”
The officers followed the vehicle after checking its registration and attempted to signal it to stop.
However, it continued despite emergency lights, as Steve Coughlan, 41, noted, “Either he hadn't seen us, or he was deliberately failing to stop.”
The officers pulled in front to halt the car while approaching the driver’s and passenger’s doors.
Owen explained, “I went up to the driver's door and opened the door through the window, but before I could turn the engine off, the driver reversed at speed.”
Steve, holding onto the vehicle's handle, described clinging onto the car as it reversed about 10 metres, stating, “If I let go, I would've gone straight under the wheel.”
Eventually, the car crashed, and Owen managed to turn off the engine and subdue the driver using PAVA spray.
Both officers sustained minor physical injuries, but the emotional toll was significant.
Steve shared, "'Of course, it's impacted our families too. I had to explain to my two young daughters what had happened - they saw the ripped trousers, the sore ribs, and they can't help but worry about Dad going out to work now. Every shift I'm on, they fear the hospital calling home again,' Steve said."
Owen reflected on how it affected his mindset on patrol, stating, "It won't put me off the job,' he said, adding: 'But I'm definitely more nervous now. I think about risks more.'"
Assaulting an emergency worker can lead to a sentence of up to five years, but the driver received four years' imprisonment with all offenses absorbed into one verdict. 17 weeks were for the ABH against the officers.
Neither officer received compensation despite court fees imposed.
Both officers have since returned to duty.
Despite their ordeal, Owen concluded, “We were lucky. It could have been so much worse.”