'Disgusting' bystanders filmed injured police officer knocked off motorbike instead of helping

'The first thing that people thought to do was to record the incident on their mobile phones rather than help the rider,' force says

The officer (not pictured) was knocked off his motorbike during a dispute in Coventry (PA)

Members of the public who saw a police officer knocked off his motorbike while chasing a suspect have been condemned for filming him as he lay injured in the road.

West Midlands Police said it was “absolutely disgusting behaviour” to record the incident in Coventry on mobile phones rather than helping the rider.

The officer, who was pursuing a stolen off-road bike, is recuperating at home after suffering bruising and shock.

The West Midlands Police Road Harm Reduction Team is appealing for information over the incident.

“Very disappointed to report that when one of our team was knocked off his bike while pursuing a stolen bike the first thing that people thought to do was to record the incident on their mobile phones rather than help the rider,” a tweet said. “Luckily we were close!”

West Midlands Police’s contact account called the incident “absolutely disgusting behaviour”, adding: ”For those filming our injured colleague...the difference between us and you is if you ever need our help in future, we will still respond.“

A spokesperson for the force later thanked social media users for a huge outpouring of support for the rider injured in Wednesday’s incident in Stoney Stanton Road.

“He has no long lasting injuries and is recuperating at home,” a statement said. “Anyone with any information on the stolen yellow off-road bike being pursued please contact 101.”

Officers had been on a routine operation in Coventry when they saw the bike speeding down the road.

"An officer on a motorbike pursued the bike, also believed to be stolen, but it failed to stop and he was accidentally hit by a passing car,” a spokesperson said.

“He was taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries and bruising and is recovering at home.

”The officer would like to thank the member of the public who stopped to help him when he came off his bike.“

The force is appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident, or who has any information on the bike, to come forward.

The incident came after young men attacked police officers arresting a suspect at a McDonald’s in East London, while onlookers filmed on their phones.

Ken Marsh, head of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said the sentences given to people who assault police officers should be harsher to discourage attacks.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live there had been a change among a 'small minority' of people in how they view the police.

“There is an element of people out there who just have no respect whatsoever and don't care,” Mr Marsh added.

“They don't care about their actions, don't care how they behave and don't care about the consequences and we are left to face that twenty-four hours a day seven days a week.”