Police are today appealing for information after an on-duty officer suffered a broken leg in a Sandy car crash yesterday afternoon.

The incident happened in Sunderland Road at around 3.50pm when a black Audi A5 hit a marked police car, injuring the officer before fleeing the scene.

The vehicle was found a short time later, burned out in Wynnefield Walk.

A 16-year-old girl has been arrested for assualt with intent in relation to the incident and enquiries are ongoing to locate a further occupant who is thought to have been driving the vehicle.

The injured officer was taken to hospital for treatment, but has now been discharged.

Two officers had been responding to concerns over the welfare of an 18-year-old woman although the incidents are not thought to be linked.

Detective Constable Jo Barkat, who is leading the investigation, said: “This is clearly a very disturbing incident which has left an officer with serious injuries simply for carrying out her duties to find a missing person.

“We are continuing to follow a number of lines of enquiry to establish the circumstances around the case and would urge anyone with information that could help our investigation to contact us immediately.”

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting Operation Microphone.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.