Man held for attempted murder after police officer is nearly mowed down in Blackpool hit and run spree

The 31-year-old is one of two men in police custody after a Vauxhall Insignia mounted the pavement and smashed into a police van, narrowly missing an officer.

Police said they had been responding to a 'disturbance' in Central Drive at around 11pm when they spotted two suspects get into the Vauxhall.

The officers left their vehicle and approached the car, instructing the suspects to stop.

But the Vauxhall sped off, mounting the pavement and crashing into a police dog van - narrowly missing an officer.

The driver is suspected of deliberately trying to knock down the officer, before leading police on a chase around the resort.

The car was pursued by tactical ops before the driver lost control and mounted a pavement in Marton Drive, hitting a tree and smashing into a garden wall.

Both men were uninjured and were arrested at the scene. They remain in custody this afternoon.

Earlier that night, the Vauxhall had also been involved in a hit and run in Bispham Road, where it crashed into a blue Citroen Cactus at around 10.45pm.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving, failing to stop and excess alcohol.

A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop and excess alcohol.

A police spokesman said: "We were initially called at around 11pm last night (June 4) to a report of a disturbance at Central Drive before two men got into a Vauxhall Insignia which was spotted by officers parked nearby.

"The officers got out of the vehicle and requested the Vauxhall to stop before it drove off, mounting the pavement, hitting the police vehicle, and narrowly missing an officer.

"It then came to a halt when it crashed on Marton Drive.

"The same vehicle is also thought to have been involved in a previous collision with a Citroen on Bispham Road shortly before this incident.

"A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving, failing to stop and excess alcohol.

"A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop and excess alcohol.

"The men are currently in police custody.

"Enquiries are ongoing."