POLICE launched a manhunt yesterday after a driver rammed a police car, before abandoning his vehicle on a Blackwood riverbank.

Officers spotted the blue Vauxhall Corsa at about 11.40am in a lane off Newbridge Road, Pontllanfraith.

They asked him to pull over as they believed he was acting suspiciously, but the driver sped off, hitting the stationary police car on the front passenger side, injuring the police officer inside.

He then drove down a 10ft embankment alongside the River Sirhowy and around 40 metres along the riverbank before abandoning the car and making his escape.

The incident triggered a manhunt and extra officers were called to help find the man.

Dozens of officers spent the afternoon scouring the area to locate the man and the police helicopter called in.

Neighbours and workers from businesses nearby said the helicopter had been searching the area since 11am and police had gathered by the lane in the early afternoon.

Loretta Kedward, of Gordon Road, said: “We heard the helicopter flying over the house earlier on this morning and then as we were driving down by the river we saw around five police cars gathered there. I don’t know anything about what has gone on though.”

One female officer was injured in the incident, but it is not known how serious the injuries were. It is believed she was taken to the Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, as a precaution.

The Corsa was towed up from the river bank just after 2pm yesterday.

No-one has been arrested and enquiries are still ongoing.