A POLICE officer who chased a car thief despite having a broken arm was heading to London today to compete for the title of Britain's bravest bobby.

Harrogate PC Mark Hill, 40, was joining 50 officers from across the country who were meeting the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, at the Police Bravery Awards in the Dorchester Hotel.

He was nominated by the North Yorkshire Police Federation.

Updated: 10:49 Tuesday, July 01, 2003