A police officer suffered a broken arm during the arrest of a 19-year-old man in Derby, after officers pursued a Suzuki 1250 Bandit reported stolen from Royal Derby Hospital. The incident involved two motorcycle thefts and took place on Monday night.

Police were informed shortly after 8pm that the Suzuki had been taken. Officers heading towards the location then spotted the motorcycle, which had been stolen earlier that evening, and began a pursuit. The chase ended with the arrest of a 19-year-old man from Derby.

The man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent to resist arrest, along with two motorcycle thefts. During the struggle that followed, one of the officers involved in taking him into custody broke an arm and was receiving treatment. The arrested man remained in custody at the time of the report.

The second motorcycle

The other motorcycle was a bright yellow BMW R1150 GS, stolen from Friar Gate near the junction with Vernon Street at 7.10pm. Police say the BMW was later seen leaving Slack Lane, west of Derby city centre, with a rider and a pillion passenger on board.

Temporary Chief Constable Simon Blatchly said the injury would shock the public because the officer had been trying to keep the city safe and prevent a suspect from escaping justice. He added that officers begin each shift without knowing what they may face, and praised the officer for pursuing a potentially dangerous individual. Blatchly wished the officer a quick recovery, acknowledging that the injury could mean a long road back.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed either theft, or anyone holding footage of the motorcycles being taken, to come forward. The case therefore combines an immediate pursuit and arrest with an appeal focused on the movements of the bright yellow BMW and the earlier theft of the Suzuki.