Urgent police appeal as man bundled into car after being run over

Police have issued an urgent appeal after a man was run over and then bundled into a car in a terrifying incident.

Officers said the victim, in his 30s, was hit by the vehicle in Blurton, a district in the south of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, late on Tuesday. The occupants of the car then returned and allegedly forced the victim to get in before driving away from Blurton Road.

His injuries are not thought to be life-changing or life-threatening, Staffordshire Police said. Around half an hour after the incident, two men ransacked a property on a nearby road, Lomond Walk, before fleeing empty-handed.

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Both incidents are believed to be linked, police have said, while calling on witnesses - particularly those who may have seen a dark-coloured car in the area between 10.45pm and 11.45pm - to get in touch, Stoke-on-Trent Live reports.

A force spokesman said: "We are appealing for witnesses following two incidents in Stoke-on-Trent. Officers were first called at 11pm on Tuesday to Blurton Road, Blurton, following reports of a man being hit by car.

"The occupants of the car then returned and forced the man into the vehicle and drove away. The victim, a man in his 30s, was later located. His injuries are not thought to be life-changing or life-threatening at this time.

"At around 11.30pm on the same night, two men gained access to a property on Lomond Walk, Blurton. They conducted an untidy search but nothing was taken. Thankfully nobody was reported injured but the occupant was left shaken up.

"We are treating the two incidents as linked and are reviewing CCTV footage of the area at the time. In particular we are looking for a dark-coloured car in the area between 10.45pm and 11.45pm. We are appealing for anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage of the area at the time to get in touch."

Anyone with information on the incident has been asked to call 101, quoting incident 881 of July 22. To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.