Dramatic footage shows brave West Midlands Police officer clinging to door of getaway van

Pc Gareth Lowe was hurled to the ground as the vehicle continued to accelerate – his head coming close to one of the van's wheels.

The 34-year-old, who has a nine-year-old son, said he had felt like 'a wannabe Captain America' and had been determined not to let the crooks flee.

He suffered cuts and bruises in the fall.

An investigation has been launched into the burglary which took place at a tile company in Upper Balsall Heath Road, Birmingham.

Pc Lowe, who has been with West Midlands Police for 10 years, said he had been one of the officers who was first to arrive at the scene.

"As we pull up this silver van begins to reverse out.

"There was a stand-off for a second as they were wondering if we were there for them," he said.

"We checked the registration number, so I got out and went over to the van.

"I opened the passenger door and then the van just started speeding away."

Pc Lowe said he had instinctively grabbed the inside door handle in an attempt to get the vehicle to stop or at least get a good look at the people inside.

But he said those in the van had 'completely floored it.'

"We get trained on how to stop vehicles but that situation was very fast paced," he said.

"The main thing is to always put safety first but reacting to a situation as quickly as you can – the main thought is 'we need to catch them'.

"As soon as we realised it was the right van the adrenaline was pumping.

"It really kicked in.

"You can see from the images I come dashing out like a wannabe Captain America.

"I potentially could have let go earlier but I just really wanted to try to get them.

"I was determined not to let them get away.

I was able to keep up with it for about 30 yards but eventually after running alongside it the speed just got too much.

"By then it was past the point of no return for landing safely, so you just had to land as best you can."

Pc Lowe said it was not until later he had noticed the injuries he had suffered when being flung to the ground.

"As the van got past me, my head was firmly in the concrete, so I didn't notice how close I was to the van's wheel," he said.

"My next reaction was to get up and get to the next junction to try to find them.

"But it wasn't until I realised they probably weren't coming that way that I reached up and realised my head hurt. Then I saw the blood.

"I think I went down on my shoulder and my head and just rolled after that."

Pc Lowe, who is getting married on November 5, suffered a cut to the head, a graze to the arm and scarring to his leg.

"I was treated by an ambulance at the scene and then as things started to return to normal again it was straight back to the office to write it all up," he said.

"My son was quite excited because he likes thinking Daddy does loads of cool things like chasing after bad guys.

"So for him it was something cool like off the TV or Grand Theft Auto.

"My partner was a bit more concerned and told me to be a bit more careful in the future, although the way she put it was a little bit less polite to be honest."

Four men aged in their mid-20s have been arrested and released on police bail pending further investigations.

Dc Michelle Beasley, from Stechford CID, said: "PC Lowe was extremely lucky on the night in question ? the people in the van showed a complete disregard for him and he was left lying in the street.

"His injuries could have been far worse, even life threatening. Fortunately back-up was on hand and after receiving treatment at the scene and in hospital PC Lowe is back on the beat.

"However our investigation is ongoing and we are determined to bring those responsible to justice.

"We still really need members of the public who think they can help our enquiries to come forward.

"Were you in the area on that night in May? Do you recognise the van in the CCTV clip? If you have any information that you think could help our investigation then please call as soon as possible."

Police said the van had been recovered later the same night in a street in Birmingham. Items were recovered from the vehicle and investigations led to the four suspects being arrested.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.