"It never used to be like this": residents react as police officer injured and 6 teens arrested
“Every week there seems to be something happening”
Residents and local retailers have been reacting after a police officer has been injured and six teenage boys arrested as the officer tried to secure a suspected stolen vehicle.
The incident, which took place at around 8.30am, has resulted in Cooperative Terrace, just off Chester Road, being cordoned off for most of the day.
The police officer was responding to reports of a car being stolen from the Burdon area of Sunderland. The officer approached the car on foot and was making attempts to secure the suspected stolen vehicle and its occupants, when the vehicle has then been driven away.
The vehicle in question has then reportedly collided with an unconnected stationary vehicle and injured the officer.
One shopworker was on her way to work on Chester Road when she saw the emergency services’ response.
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She said: “It was about 9am and I was walking down Chester Road when I saw the police cars go past with flashing lights and sirens sounding. There was an ambulance travelling up Chester Road, but they must have received a call as it suddenly turned around and started heading down to Cooperative Terrace with its blue lights flashing.
“Every week there seems to be something happening. It never used to be like this and it’s certainly a worry.”
A colleague who also asked to remain anonymous added: “When I got to work there were two police cars on the street and within 10 minutes a cordon was up and there were around 10 police vehicles.
“The police officers have been in the shop and asking if they can see any footage from CCTV cameras.”
A shopkeeper who asked to remain anonymous said he saw the police giving chase to two males.
He added: “I heard a big crash and when I came out of the shop and I saw police officers chasing after two males. Very quickly, there were lots of police on the street. It’s dangerous, and is a big concern.”
Another shop owner added: “There were a lot of police on the street chasing some kids. It was very worrying at the time.”
Anyone with information that could aid the investigation are urged to contact Northumbria Police on social media or via the report it page of their website.