POLICE in Worcester are urging people to “look behind the warrant card” after an officer in the city was almost run down by a dangerous driver.

Following the conviction of Omar Ali, who almost mowed down Daniel Fenn, then an acting sergeant with West Mercia Police, when he tried to apprehend him, Detective Inspector David Knight has spoken of the plight of police officers who are attacked in the line of duty.

25-year-old Ali admitted dangerous driving when he appeared before recorder Anthony Warner at Worcester Crown Court on Friday, January 12.

He sentenced Ali to 16 months in prison suspended for two years, banned him from driving for 18 months and ordered him to complete an extended driving retest.

Inspector Knight said: “It is always in the back of our minds when we are out doing our job that we might be come to harm by someone assaulting us.

“It is not fair that every officer has that in the back of their minds when they are just wanting to do their job.

“Obviously, the majority of the members of the public in Worcestershire are out to help the police with a healthy balance of mutual respect - it goes both ways.

“But there are a minority of people that look to harm us. Those involved need to look behind the warrant card - because the harm that could be done is not just physical it can also be emotional. “

He added: “We take any attempt to harm a police officer very seriously.”

The inspector added that any assault towards an officer is discussed in a daily management meeting, with consideration made on how further assaults can be prevented and what support the officer involved requires.

The court heard acting sergeant Fenn was on duty in plain clothes in an unmarked car when he received a radio message that a Renault Megane contained ‘a person of interest’ to police.

Inspector Knight pointed out that the powers that police have are not limited to Road Traffic Act legislation when dealing with vehicle related crimes.

Sergeant Fenn managed to block a Worcester road with his car and himself, and holding out his baton he shouted ‘stop, police!’

But Omar Ali drove towards him, missing him by just a metre, and rammed his Renault Megane into the officer’s police car during the incident in The Hill Avenue, Worcester.

The recorder further ordered Ali to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. The incident took place on October 2, 2015. Ali has convictions for shoplifting, going equipped and conveying an article into prison.

To read the full story on Ali’s court case, click here.