Police officer taken to hospital after hit and run in Coventry

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It has been described as “completely unacceptable” for a police officer to be injured in the line of duty



A manhunt is underway to find the driver of a car that ran over a police officer before fleeing the scene in Coventry.

Emergency services were called to Burnaby Road around 2.45pm on Wednesday afternoon to reports of a man hit by a car.

The victim was a neighbourhood officer who had been attempting to stop a car when he was run over.

Fleeing the scene, the car involved was found a few streets away a short time later.

The incident sparked a large emergency service response with a number of police officers in attendance.

However despite a big response from police and the police helicopter hovering above Radford and Holbrooks, investigations are ongoing to trace the driver.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "An investigation is under way after a West Midlands Police officer was injured following a hit-and-run in Coventry today (25 September).

"A neighbourhood officer attempted to stop a car in Holbrook Lane, Radford, just after 2.45pm.

"He was run over, before the vehicle made off from the scene. It has since been recovered a short distance away and investigations continue to trace the driver.

"The officer was taken to hospital with head and leg injuries."

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Police officer injured in hit-and-run suffers a fractured skull

The police officer seriously injured in a hit-and-run yesterday (25 September) has been left with a fractured skull.

The 48-year-old neighbourhood officer, who is a husband and dad, was trying to stop a Mini at the junctions of Holbrook Lane and Burnaby Road when the car hit him and made off from the scene.

He was taken to hospital with a fractured skull, a bleed on the brain and a shattered knee.

Detectives at West Midlands Police are treating the incident as a "deliberate act".

The officer is married, has a 10 year old son and has been serving in the force for 25 years.

His family are currently supporting him in hospital, as he is expected to remain there for some time.

The Mini involved was recovered a short time after the collision and will be forensically examined.

Detectives are still working to identify the driver of the Mini, alongside speaking to witnesses and examining the recovered CCTV.

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Officer seriously injured in hit-and-run is named



The police officer left with a fractured skull after a hit-and-run in Coventry has been named.

West Midlands Police has revealed that PC Christopher Burnham is the officer who remains in a serious condition in hospital following the shock incident at junction of Holbrook Lane and Burnaby Road yesterday afternoon (September 25).

Chief Superintendent Mike O’Hara, in charge of policing in Coventry, paid tribute to the 48-year-old dad as a "very well regarded officer" and has visited him in hospital today. (Thursday)

“Chris is a very well-regarded and proactive Foleshill neighbourhood officer, who has a number of commendations," Chf Supt O'Hara said.


“He was doing his job in keeping Coventry safe when he has been deliberately driven at by someone who then made off from the scene.

“I’ve spent time with Chris and his wife in hospital today and it’s clear he now faces a long road to recovery. We will do everything possible to support him and his family through this really difficult time.

“I’ve also spent time with Chris’ colleagues, and they have been left shocked and upset by what’s happened."

The top cop went on: “But our officers come together at trying times like this to offer support and comfort to each other and remain determined to do their jobs to the best of their ability.

“Our priority remains with the wellbeing of the officer, his family and his colleagues and we will stop at nothing to locate the offender and bring him to justice for this heinous crime.”

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Hit-and-run: Police name suspect after police officer ran over



Police have named the suspect in the Holbrooks hit-and-run as Tekle Lennox.

As part of the investigation, West Midlands Police has taken the "unusual step" of naming the main suspect they want to trace.

Police are appealing for anyone with information on his whereabouts to come forward - but add that nobody should approach the 37-year-old.

Detective Superintendent Mark Payne said: "We are taking the unusual step today of naming the suspect in this case, Tekle Lennox, as the man we want to speak to in relation to the hit-and-run incident on Chris Burnham that occurred on Wednesday.

"We are seeking the public's assistance now in trying to locate Tekle Lennox. We have undertaken search warrants at a number of locations across Coventry.

"We are proactively seeking him as we speak, but we really could do with anybody who has seen Tekle Lennox or may have information with regards to his whereabouts, to please pick up the phone and call us on 101 or 999.

“We believe he is still in the Coventry area and there will be people who know where he is. If they know where he is and are offering him refuge, they are breaking the law and will also be arrested.

"We would say to the public do not approach him yourselves, but pick up the phone and we will come and take it from there.

“To Lennox, I would say: It’s just a matter of time before we get to you. Do the right thing and hand yourself in now."

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"Do the right thing and hand yourself in now"

Yes, there are tea and biscuits waiting for you!

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Man charged over Coventry police officer hit and run

A man has been charged after an incident which left a police officer fighting for his life in Coventry.

Police have today (September 29) confirmed that Tekle Lennox has been charged with attempted murder, driving whilst disqualified, and driving without insurance.

The 37-year-old, of no fixed abode is due to appear before Coventry Magistrates Court on Monday, September 30.

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Police Federation to appeal 'unduly lenient' sentence of Tekle Lennox

The sentence of a hit-and-run driver who mowed down a Coventry police officer has been branded "shocking" by the Police Federation.

Tekle Lennox, 37, was jailed for seven years today (March 3) after admitting a charge of causing grievous bodily harm to PC Christopher Burnham who was struck by Lennox's car as he tried to stop the wanted man.

PC Burnham was in hospital for a number of weeks, including a week spent in an induced coma, as he was treated for numerous serious injuries including a bleed on the brain.

Following Lennox's sentencing today (March 3) at Warwick Crown Court, the chairman of West Midlands Police Federation has described the sentence as "shocking in its leniency, but sadly not surprising".

Jon Nott said that Lennox's actions "could easily have killed" father-of-one PC Burnham and the Federation will be looking to appeal "this unduly lenient sentence".

The police federation chairman also criticised Lennox for only entering a guilty plea this week and "prolonging the trauma faced by Chris and his family".

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had originally brought a charge of attempted murder against Lennox, which he had denied, and it was revealed at a pre-trial review in February that the CPS would no longer be facing that charge.

And Lennox's barrister, Bernard Tetlow QC, told the court at the sentencing hearing that Lennox had entered his guilty plea at the earliest opportunity to the GBH charge as he had been unable to speak with Lennox at an earlier time.