• Police were called out at around 8.50pm on Friday

•Officer fell and was seriously injured and taken to hospital, he will need further treatment

• Nothing stolen, no arrests made, enquiries are continuing

• Witnesses described seeing a vehicle leaving the area at high speed

• Chief Constable Simon Cole later confirmed the officer will need surgery on his knee

Leicestershire Police have confirmed one of their officers suffered a 'serious injury' while attempting to stop thieves at an Ashby house on Friday evening.

The incident happened at Marlborough Way in Ashby.

Officers were called to the attemped theft of a van.

They chased two suspects who fled the scene and an officer fell.

He needed treatement and was taken away from the scene in an ambulance and has now had to report sick.

Wintnesses described seeing a van leaving the scene at high speed.

A Leicestershire police statement read: "Officers were called to Marlborough Road in Ashby at around 8.50pm yesterday (Friday) following a report of an attempted theft of a van.

"Officers arrived at the scene and began to chase two suspects who had left the scene.

"During this chase, one of the officers fell suffering a serious injury to his knee.

"The officer attended hospital. He has since been discharged from hospital but following medical assessment, it has been determined he will require further treatment to his knee.

"The officer has had to report sick as a result of this."

"Nothing was stolen from the scene of the incident. No arrests have been made at this stage. Enquiries are ongoing."

Chief Constable Simon Cole later tweeted: "Just spoken to @leicspolice colleague who was injured on duty

"They have dislocated their knee whilst chasing on foot an offender who was breaking into a van in #Ashby. Sadly surgery will be needed."

Welfare support in place

Anyone with any information in relation to the incident should call 20*5502.