Police officer dragged along pavement by quad bike

A police officer has been injured after being dragged along a pavement while trying to stop a quad bike being ridden "dangerously" in a town.

Essex Police said officers were called to Wickford High Street, in the town, at about 18:30 GMT on Saturday following reports of quad bikes being driven dangerously.

Witnesses said the bikes were doing wheelies, causing cars to brake and riding on pavements, the force said.

One officer who "bravely" tried to stop a bike sustained non-serious injuries and one bike, which was found later, was seized, police said.

The seized bike, believed to have been involved in the incident, was found in Cranfield Park Road.

Ch Insp Paul Hogben said: "We are aware that the quad bikes have been causing a nuisance in Wickford and we are determined to stop them.

"One of my officers bravely tried to do this on Saturday evening and ended up being dragged along the pavement.

"It is only good fortune that they were not seriously injured."

He described those responsible as "reckless", adding: "They are putting pedestrians and other motorists at risk and it shows a complete lack of regard for the safety of others."

Hogben said Essex Police would continue its investigations into anti-social riding "and the assault of our officer".

"We will continue seeking to root out those responsible and where we find their bikes, those bikes will be coming with us," he added.

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