A POLICE officer was dragged at speeds of up to 60mph through York streets today as he tried to arrest a suspected disqualified driver.

PC Neville King suffered leg injuries because his lower body was left hanging out of the red Vauxhall Cavalier when the young male driver sped off without warning.

As the vehicle raced through Heworth with the driver's door swinging open, the motorist attempted to throw off the officer by accelerating violently and swinging the vehicle from side to side.

But the constable stopped the car moments later by forcing it out of gear. He then handcuffed the youth to the steering wheel.

Constable King told the Evening Press that the moments when he was trapped halfway inside the vehicle "felt like a lifetime" and that he feared for his life.

He said: "I ran to the driver's door to try to get the car keys. I told him he was under arrest for driving while disqualified and at that point he drove off with the door open and me inside.

"I don't know what route we took, but we ended up in Heworth Road. He was going from side to side, trying to shake me out. It felt like a lifetime.

"I saw that we hit 60mph and the car was accelerating like hell. I kept telling him to stop the car or he might kill me and get done for murder."

The drama began at 9.45am in Foss Islands Road when PC King saw the vehicle, which is known to York Police, and started to follow it in an unmarked car.

When the two vehicles stopped at a queue of traffic in East Parade, Heworth, PC King approached the vehicle and attempted to arrest the driver.

The engine of the Vauxhall Cavalier, registration G420 MUR, was running, although the keys were not in the ignition.

Inspector Christine Longmore praised PC King for his courage. The "very serious incident" had put his life at great risk.

Anyone who witnessed the incident should phone the York Police witness line on 01904 669884 or Crimestoppers, for free and in confidence, on 0800 555 111.

Updated: 14:47 Tuesday, May 18, 2004