Police officer injured and 6 teens arrested after collision involving suspected stolen car

A police officer responding to reports of a stolen car has been injured after the suspected stolen vehicle has reportedly collided with another car as the occupants looked to get away.

Six teenage boys aged between 13 and 17 have now been arrested in connection with the incident and are in police custody.

Just before 6.45am this morning (August 12), Northumbria Police received a report of a suspected burglary from an address in the Burdon area of Sunderland.

It was reported a vehicle had been taken from a property which has then been driven in the surrounding area and subsequently into Durham Constabulary’s Force area.

Later, just after 8.30am, whilst Durham Constabulary officers were conducting enquires to locate the vehicle and any suspects, the vehicle has been spotted parked in the Cooperative Terrace area of Sunderland.

Northumbria Police said an officer from Durham Constabulary approached 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.

The police officer has been taken to hospital for treatment of non life threatening injuries.

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.

“We are working closely with our neighbours at Northumbria Police as they investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. We would encourage anyone with any information that could assist our enquiries to get in touch as soon as possible.”

The investigation is being supported by Northumbria Police and there has been a large police presence on Chester Road since this morning with access to part of the street cordoned off as police officers carried out their investigations.

A Forensic Collision Investigation Unit van was also at the scene.

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.

“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.”

The incident was also attended by the North East Ambulance Service. A spokesperson said: “We were called to a person injured on Co-operative Terrace in Sunderland at 8.40am on 12 August.

"We dispatched an ambulance crew who took one patient to hospital."

At the time of publication, the road remains closed to traffic, with officers expected to remain on scene for a number of hours.

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. You can also call 101 and quote reference number: 26000422478.