AN investigation has been launched after a police officer was hit by an uninsured driver in Taunton

The officer was hit by the uninsured female driver on Staplegrove Road in Taunton on March 18 after the motorist failed to stop for questioning by police.

Police are currently searching for the unnamed driver and are keen to hear from anyone who saw the incident. 

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said:"We are searching for the driver of a car which was involved in an incident with a police officer on Saturday night on the A358 Staplegrove Road in Taunton.

 "The officers stopped the car at about 7.45pm which had triggered the ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) camera in the police vehicle as having no insurance.

"While they were talking to a passenger from the vehicle the woman driver drove off ignoring orders from one of the officers to stop.

"She nudged the police officer with the car, forcing him backwards.

"He was not injured.

"The car – a Citroen Berlingo (registration number HD04 BXX) and the driver – is currently being sought.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident, who may have information to help our enquiries."

Onlooker Dave Short said: "The car failed to stop and police constables attempted to smash a window but failed to do so and the car hit one of them, straight over the bonnet of the car. 

"It was quite dramatic as I am sure you can imagine."

If you have any information about the incident please call 101 and ask for police.