Officer ‘hit and run’ treated as attempted murder

A hit and run accident that left a Thames Valley Police officer in a critical state in hospital is being treated as attempted murder.

PC Gareth Browning, 33, was with a fellow officer when deploying a Stop Stick (stinger-type device), in Whitley, Reading, at around 5.30pm on Saturday (November 30).

A black Mazda Aerosport car stolen during a burglary on November 21 had been spotted in Reading and followed for a short time.

Assistant Chief Constable John Campbell said when PC Browning became aware of the vehicle in Lower Earley Way, Whitley, he deployed the Stop Stick but the vehicle drove directly at him, leaving him very seriously injured.

Following the collision, the vehicle failed to stop and was later abandoned in Corrine Close, Whitley.

Thames Valley Police has established an incident room and a major investigation is under way.

On Monday (December 2), three people were arrested in connection with the incident. A man, 28, and a woman, 31, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. A woman, 34, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

All three suspects, from Reading, remained in custody as Police Professional went to press.

PC Browning has served with Thames Valley Police for ten years and is currently a response officer based at Loddon Valley police station.

He is currently receiving hospital treatment for his injuries and is described as critical but stable. The other officer was unharmed.

Thames Valley Police is appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the burglary or who saw the vehicle in the Reading/Sonning Common area between November 21 and 30.

Assistant Chief Constable John Campbell told Police Professional: “Our thoughts are with Gareth and his family at this time. We are looking to the welfare of the officers who responded and his colleagues who have been shocked by the incident.”