A masked man carrying a hammer attacked a police car after a chase in Salford.
Shortly after 11:30pm on Sunday 28 June 2015, officers from the Greater Manchester Police ANPR Intercept Unit spotted two people wearing balaclavas in a black Ford Mondeo at a petrol station on Cromwell Road, Salford and signalled the vehicle to pull over.
The driver of the car ignored the initial attempts and after a short pursuit the offender pulled over on Upper Camp Street, where his passenger jumped out and came towards the police car armed with a hammer.
Fearing for their safety, the driver of the police car drove at the offender causing him to fall onto the bonnet and consequently the floor.
As this was happening, the driver of the Mondeo rammed the police car twice before turning round and driving towards the junction with Bury New Road, at which point the passenger ran and got back into the car.
The car turned right onto Bury New Road and got away before it was later found abandoned on Thanet Close with a number of weapons inside.
Chief Inspector Mark Dexter said: “I think it is clear that the occupants of the car were about to commit a violent offence when the officers originally attempted to stop them and their subsequent behaviour only further reinforces that.
“It is possible that the actions of the Intercept Unit officers prevented a robbery from taking place as, when they first approached the offenders, they were pulling into a petrol station forecourt wearing balaclavas and carrying a number of weapons.
“Although we don’t have a clear description of the offenders, the one who attempted to attack the police with a hammer may have been injured in his attempts and returned home limping.
“He was also wearing a white balaclava which isn’t very common amongst offenders so it’s possible that somebody may have seen a person carrying one in their hand or disposing of it in some way and so they can offer a better description.”
Anybody with information should contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
