Cop hurt

AN Abridge policeman who was run down by a gang of suspected thieves has spoken about his ordeal which left him in hospital with bruised ribs and whiplash.

PC Andy Fuhr was off-duty when he bravely challenged two men he believed to be distraction burglars targeting houses in and around New Farm Drive in the village.

After a chase the two men reached their getaway car, which was then driven at speed directly at Mr Fuhr sending him straight over the top of the vehicle.

The 39-year-old father, who also sustained a bang on the head, became involved when he saw the men trying doors of nearby bungalows.

"I found one of them talking to an old lady. He was very pushy and said he was looking for a ball. He sounded Eastern European, like Arnold Schwarzenegger. The other chap then came out of a house with another one of the residents. I challenged him and the pair then started walking off, and when I followed they started to run for it.

Mr Fuhr chased the men through the communal corridors of some maisonettes, where they tried to lock him out, and eventually back into New Farm Drive.

A third man was in a waiting car and as the men reached it Mr Fuhr telephoned the police, realising he was outnumbered.

"The taller of the men went to the boot of the car and was trying to get something out, I thought he might be trying to get a weapon." However the man gave up on the boot, leaving it open, and the car drove straight at Mr Fuhr, mounted the pavement and drove for him.

"I saw the driver looking at me, there was only one thing going through his mind and that was to take me out and that was it. I was either going over or under the car and I chose over."

Mr Fuhr hit the bonnet and was somersaulted onto the roof and down onto the ground the other side. He then saw the car speed away into Ongar Road, without stopping, and into Abridge village. He estimated the car was being driven at about30mph when it hit him.

Shaken and injured, Mr Fuhr ran back to his home where his wife, Wendy, called an ambulance.

Mr Fuhr, quick to play down the hero tag, said: "As far as I'm concerned I was just doing my job, I was quite lucky."

Police are still seeking witnesses who saw the green saloon car speed off through Abridge at about 4pm on Monday, July 22. Anyone with information should ring PC Mark Chapelhow on 01279 621804.

11:43 Thursday 1st August 2002

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