Warning as motorist drives into officer's legs

NEWQUAY'S police inspector has issued a stern warning to drivers after a car was deliberately driven into the legs of one of his officers while on patrol.

PCSO Phillip Clatworthy had to dash out of the way of a car which was revving its engine towards him on Edgcumbe Avenue on Friday.

He had politely informed its driver that he would be issuing her with a fixed penalty ticket after finding her vehicle, along with two others, parked on a footpath near to a school.

But he said the driver proceeded to "accelerate" and "brake" towards him and he had no choice but to step aside. The driver then drove away.

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The PCSO, based at Newquay police station, had been carrying out a recent police initiative to ensure cars are not parked outside schools and blocking children's access on pavements.

Newquay Junior Academy is situated on Edgcumbe Avenue.

He said: "There were three vehicles parked on the footpath and restricting access for young children, probably forcing them to go between cars and out onto the road. I spoke to one driver. I said I would be issuing a fixed penalty ticket. But she just proceeded to drive at me. I was in the middle of the road at the time.

"I gave her the number one stop signal and raised my hand but she continued to edge forward, accelerating and braking. She intended to move me off the road. I had no choice but to step aside.

"It [the car] touched me. I wasn't injured. I was shocked."

PSCO Clatworthy said that any driver who puts the lives of officers at risk "will be dealt with".

Newquay inspector Dave Meredith said the police take all incidents of careless and dangerous driving "very seriously" and incidents would be dealt with in a "proportionate" and "robust" manner.

He said: "I am deeply concerned that a member of public acted in such an irresponsible and dangerous manner."

The driver was given a fixed penalty notice for the original obstruction offence.