Officer suffers broken arm while tackling suspected motorbike thief in Derby
A police officer has been left with a broken arm after stopping a suspected thief in Derby.
A police officer has been left with a broken arm after responding to reports of a motorbike theft and tackling a suspect in Derby.
He attended Royal Derby Hospital just after 8pm on Monday (19 Oct) after receiving reports of a bike being stolen.
The officer, and his colleagues, spotted the stolen bike, as well as another one that had been stolen earlier in the evening.
After one of the suspects failed to start one of the bikes, he tried to run away on foot. The officer chased him down and, in the struggle, suffered a broken arm.
A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of GBH with intent to resist arrest and two thefts of motorcycles.
Temporary Chief Constable Simon Blatchly said: “I am sure the public will share my shock at the injury sustained by this officer – who was simply trying to keep our city safe and stop a criminal from escaping justice.
“Each and every day officers start their shift not knowing what they will be faced with – but knowing that they may have to put their safety, and even their life, on the line.
“This officer didn’t think twice about running after a potentially dangerous individual, and he is now staring down the barrel of a long road to recovery.
“I, along with his fellow officers and every right-minded member of our community, wish him well and hope his recovery is as quick as possible.”
Derbyshire Constabulary wants to speak to anyone who can assist with their enquiries – in particular anyone who may have witnessed, or have footage, of either of the bikes being stolen.
The first bike, a distinctive yellow BMW R1150 GS registration starting FJ02, was stolen from Friar Gate, near the junction with Vernon Street, at 7.10pm.
The Suzuki was stolen from the bike shed at the hospital at 8pm.
The BMW left Slack Lane with a rider and pillion onboard, and it is believed they may have been spotted in the Parker Street area, near Kedleston Road, later that same evening.