Van found in Pc hit-and-run case

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7307481.stm

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Officers have found a burnt-out van they believe was driven deliberately at a West Midlands Police officer leaving him seriously ill in hospital.

Pc Robin Haddock, 49, suffered head injuries when he was hit by a white van as he tried to speak to the driver in Sneyd Lane, Bloxwich, on Tuesday.

Police are treating the attack on the father-of-four from Sutton Coldfield as attempted murder.

Forensic officers said the LDV van found on Wednesday had been stolen.

It was discovered in Ezekiel Lane, Bloxwich, in the early hours and has been taken away for tests.

'Highly respected'

Pc Haddock and another colleague had pulled over the driver of the van after it went through a red light.

As he got out of his patrol vehicle to speak to the driver the van reversed at him.

He has been described as "a popular, highly respected and well-regarded officer" and was due to receive an award after going to the aid of two colleagues who had been sprayed with petrol and set on fire.

He is in a serious but stable condition in hospital but his colleague was not seriously hurt in the incident.

A police spokeswoman said: "Inquiries have found the van had been stolen prior to the incident.

"Police are appealing to anyone who may know someone who recently acquired a van and is without it now."