Six teenage boys, aged 13 to 17, arrested after police officer 'hit by stolen car'

Six teenage boys have been arrested after a police officer was hit by a car while investigating a suspected burglary.

The officer suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to hospital following the incident on Wednesday morning in Sunderland.

Northumbria Police were alerted at 6.45am to reports of a car being stolen at an address in the Burdon area, in the south of the city.

The vehicle was then reportedly driven into the force area of neighbouring Durham Constabulary, and was parked on Cooperative Terrace in Sunderland just after 8.30am.

Police said that, when an officer approached, the vehicle drove away, hitting another parked car and injuring the officer.

Six boys - aged between 13 and 17 - have been arrested in connection with the incident and remain in police custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney of Northumbria Police said: "Firstly, we'd like to extend our thoughts to the officer from our neighbouring police force who has been injured in this incident.

"Police officers attend work with the sole intention to help people - not to be hurt in the line of duty.

"We wish this officer a speedy recovery and we'd like to thank him and his colleagues for their assistance with the response to the initial report."

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The road is currently closed to traffic, and officers are expected to remain on scene for several hours.

DCI Fenney said: "Our investigation remains at an early stage, however we already have got six suspects in custody.

"We're aware this incident will have caused concern and disruption in the local community.

"As this is a live investigation, we ask the public not to speculate on the circumstances or comment on social media.

"Officers will remain in the area, and we would ask anyone with further concerns, or information to report, including CCTV, dashcam, or mobile phone footage, to get in touch with us."

Assistant Chief Constable Richie Allen, from Durham Constabulary, said: "Our thoughts are with the officer who sustained injuries during the incident.

"Thankfully, he has since been discharged from hospital and we wish him a speedy recovery."

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