POLICE are appealing for witnesses after an attack on an officer in Levenshulme.

The officer was threatened with a knife and left with a broken wrist after the incident on Stockport Road in December 8 last year.

After stopping a black Volkswagen Golf in a routine vehicle check, the passenger of the car got out and ran away.

The driver then sped away and the police officer chased the passenger on foot and eventually detained him.

During a struggle the offender attacked the police officer and then produced a knife, allowing him to escape.

The officer then discovered he had sustained a fractured wrist.

Police keen to speak to anyone who can help identify the offender. He is described as being of mixed race, about 6ft tall, of athletic build, with short black hair and in his mid 20s. He had stubble and was wearing a navy tracksuit.

Police constable Robyn Carter said: "This highlights the very real dangers that officers face when policing Greater Manchester. Officers put themselves at risk every day to protect the public and the risk of injury is very real.

"What appeared to be a routine car check turned into a violent struggle that left the officer with a fracture to his right wrist.

"I am appealing to the public to help us catch both the driver of the car and the man who produced the knife. While officers are trained to deal with weapon-wielding criminals, the next time this man pulls out a knife it could be during a robbery and put innocent members of the public at risk, so please, if you have any information at all, call us."

Anyone with information is asked to call Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.