A DANGEROUS driver dragged an officer along a road in Old Town and hit a bystander in the leg while trying to flee the police.

Officers stopped a red Toyota Aygo on Newport Street at around 4.15am because they suspected the driver of being drunk.

After stopping, the driver quickly drove away from officers, dragging one of the police along the road for a short distance and striking a nearby member of the public in the leg with the vehicle.

A 19-year-old man from the Swindon area has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, assault of an emergency worker. failure to stop and aggravated vehicle taking without consent and remains in custody at Gablecross Police station.

Insp Dave Whitby said: “I don’t need to remind people of the potential consequence of incidents like this.

“Thankfully the member of public only received minor injuries and the police officer was uninjured.

“However, that does not detract from the seriousness of the offence and we have been quick to arrest the suspect within hours of the offence, with the vehicle involved already having been located and seized.”

Any witnesses to the incident are requested to contact us on 101.