TWO police officers were struck by a getaway car as it fled the scene of a robbery.

The stolen vehicle ran over a woman officer as she lay prone on the floor before striking a policeman who was in its path, detectives said.

Just moments before the raiders had rammed two patrol cars which were attempting to stop the gangs escape.

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Police said the woman officer, who needed hospital treatment for leg injuries, could have been more badly hurt if she had not been pulled to safety by a colleague as the car drove at her a second time.

The victim of the house raid, which had sparked the police response, was also treated at Royal Blackburn Hospital for head injuries after his face was stamped on during the robbery, The male officer who was struck by the getaway car suffered cuts and bruises.

Officers launched an overnight manhunt in the streets surrounding St John’s Church in Accrington after the incident.

Yesterday five suspects were being questioned by police.

Police said officers had been called to an address in Knowlsmere Street, Accrington, at 1.20am yesterday (mon) after reports of a number of men breaking into a house.

After getting inside, the gang attacked a man in his 40s before stealing a flat screen TV and the car keys to a Rover, which was then stolen from the terraced street.

It was used to ram the patrol cars in Ramsbottom Street before being driven at the two police officers.

The car was later found abandoned a quarter of a mile away in Belgarth Road, close to a rail footbridge, opposite St Joseph’s Church.

A Knowlsmere Street resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “The noise woke me up around 1.30am.

“I saw some lads running up the street away from police and the car drove off up the hill at high speed.

“There was a lot of shouting and then more police cars and an ambulance arrived.”

Councillor Mohammad Ayub, who represents the area on Hyndburn Council, said: “I’m shocked that something like this went on in our neighbourhood.

“I hope the officers are well soon and whoever is responsible is punished severely.”

A 24-year-old man from London, a 29-year-old Accrington man, a 17-year-old youth from Haslingden, a 23-year-old man of no fixed address and a 19-year-old woman from Accrington were arrested yesterday in connection with the incident.

Detectives said the investigation was on-going and officers were appealing for anyone with information to contact them on 101.