TWO police officers were injured when their car was rammed during a pursuit after a series of smash-and-grab raids in Prestwich.

The officers, who have not been identified, suffered whiplash injuries when a vehicle they were following was reversed into their patrol car.

The incident followed a spate of raids on Prestwich businesses late last night.

Police were first alerted shortly before 11pm when thieves first forced roller shutters at Bond Street Fashions on Bury Old Road before grabbing four boxes containing plastic lunchboxes.

A stolen red Ford Escort was left behind.

Minutes later the same gang are believed to have struck again, smashing their way through the front door of estate agents Hyde and Partners on nearby St Margarets Road. A haul of computers was stolen.

The four men, all wearing balaclavas, escaped in a stolen Mazda car, and headed towards Salford, where they were spotted and chased by a police patrol car.

The stolen car was then reversed into the police car, causing minor damage to the vehicle.

Both officers were taken to Salford's Hope Hospital but were later released after treatment.

The stolen car was later discovered abandoned in Pendleton with the computer equipment still inside.

Anyone with any information about the crimes is asked to contact Bury Police on 0161-856 8157.

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