A police officer has been seriously injured as he tried to catch a car thief.

The officer was dragged along a road in Nottingham as the offender tried to escape in a taxi.

The incident happened about 1300 GMT on Tuesday when a stolen car was stopped in Bulwell area of Nottingham and its two female passengers were arrested.

However, the male driver ran off towards a nearby golf course and, as the police began searching the area, the suspect was seen getting into a taxi.

Serious injuries

A policeman tried to stop the vehicle, but it drove off dragging him along the road.

The officer has been taken to hospital where he is being treated for head injuries.

His condition was described as "very serious".

Nottinghamshire Police said the taxi driver returned to the scene and was helping with their investigation.

Several roads in the area were sealed off.

A police spokeswoman said: "The officer's immediate family have been informed and are with him at the hospital."