A POLICE dog handler was injured when car thieves rammed his police vehicle during a chase.

The officer suffered concussion, whiplash injuries and ligament damage after the Vauxhall Cavalier ploughed into the police car in Worsley Road, Farnworth, just after 9.30pm yesterday.

It followed a chase along Greenhill Road and Long Causeway after the car, which had been stolen from the North Wales area, headed into Bolton.

The thieves escaped after ramming the police car. The officer is now off sick.

Today police issued details of a Vauxhall Cavalier, registration J909OCC which is being sought in connection with the incident.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Bolton police on 0161 872 5050.