Police have launched a hunt for the driver of a car who made off from police after striking an officer with his vehicle in a Leicestershire village.

At 3.12pm yesterday (26) two officers were in High Street, Oakham when they approached a grey Honda CRV illegally parked.

The driver of the car, who was a man, is reported to have refused to engage and driven towards one of the officers. The car hit the officer, causing him to mount the bonnet, before he landed on the pavement.

The driven then collided with two stationary vehicles before making off from the scene.

The car involved in the incident was found abandoned a few hours later in Harrington Way. It has since been recovered by police.

The officer suffered minor cuts and grazes as a result of the incident. He has since been checked by a medical professional as a precaution.

Detectives are carrying out a number of enquiries to try and find the driver of the car – including checks in relation to the car, reviewing CCTV and speaking to people in the area. Police are now keen to hear from anyone who may have information.

Detective Inspector Jim Willoughby said: “We are urgently trying to find the man responsible for this incident. Luckily the officer was not seriously injured, but this doesn’t take away from the fact that he was driven at and hit by a car in order for the man to evade police.

“Were you in the area of High Street around the time of the incident or in Harrington Way and saw the driver running from the car? Any details you can provide might help in finding the person responsible.”

Information can be passed online at www.leics.police.uk or by calling 101 – quoting crime reference 26*50240.