A RESIDENT has spoken of 'absolute mayhem' after three police officers were struck by a car they were pursuing on a Bradford street.

A car was being pursued by police officers on Chapel Street, Eccleshill, yesterday after it had earlier failed to stop for officers on nearby Harrogate Road.

Passengers in the pursued car left it on Chapel Street, but the driver stayed in the vehicle, which then struck a police vehicle, injuring three officers. The pursued driver then left the scene.

But the car was later recovered and a man in his 20s was arrested.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed three officers were taken to hospital following the incident, suffering from injuries which are not life threatening. Police were called to the scene at 10.19pm yesterday.

READ MORE: Police Federation on attacks on officers after Eccleshill incident

A witness said number of marked police cars were called to the street and the police helicopter was also spotted in Eccleshill.

Carl Bourke, who has lived on Chapel Street for the last 18 years, was in his home watching a film when he heard a commotion outside.

He raced outside on to the street to help give First Aid treatment to injured officers.

Mr Bourke said: "It was like something out of a film.

"It was absolute mayhem and chaos. It was absolutely crazy. It's not really something you want around here.

"It was just ongoing. The police helicopter was out. There was blood on the floor.

"The car was smashed to pieces, front and back. Its bumpers were wrecked.

"One of the police officers was suffering from shock. All of the police tape had gone by the morning.

"I heard people screaming and banging and the street was smothered with police.

"Our street was all blocked off. Everyone was out.

"I went to help police officers with First Aid. The car had gone. I think the police officer I helped had a broken arm or wrist. I supplied a sling for him."

The pursued car was stopped by large rocks at the end of the road which were installed earlier this year after the street had become a rat run over recent years.

Councillor Geoff Reid (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) has spoken of his shock at this incident.
He said: "It's grim. This is at the heart of our ward. 
"It's a shocking thing to happen on Harrogate Road. It's not good for Chapel Street. 
"They have done a lot of the work on the cemetery on Chapel Street, so it's disheartening that things like this happen, when people are trying to make the area better. 
"I'm sure people will be more wary on Harrogate Road late at night. People have complained to me about driving on Harrogate Road and Moorside Road. 
"Chapel Street is blocked off at the Harrogate Road end and it should be a quiet street. People should be without this there."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "A vehicle failed to stop for police on Harrogate Road in Bradford.

"It was pursued to Chapel Street in Eccleshill, where its passengers made off on foot.

"Attempts were made to detain the driver, who struck a police vehicle as he made off from the scene.

"Enquiries led to the recovery of the vehicle believed to have been used in the offence and the arrest of a man in his 20s, who remains in custody today.

"Three police officers attended hospital where they were treated for injuries, which were not life threatening.

"Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

"Anyone who can assist the investigation into this incident is asked to contact Bradford District CID on 101 or by using the options on the West Yorkshire Police website, quoting log 1756 of October 12.

"Information can also be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online."