Merseyside Police have released footage showing the moment their officers came under attack from two men hurling bricks at their patrol car following a routine stop in Kirkby. Police pulled over a Volvo estate while on patrol through the town just outside of Liverpool. After the car stopped, two men dressed in fluorescent jackets both got out and threw bricks at the windscreen of the car, smashing glass and injuring one of the officers in the process.

The suspects then got back in the Volvo and drove away before being lost on the M57. Following extensive inquiries, the offenders were identified as Carl Foley, 33, and Karl Waring, 22, both of no fixed abode. The men were arrested and charged with various offences.

Following guilty pleas, Waring was sentenced to five-and-a-half years for affray and possession with intent to supply cannabis. Foley also admitted affray as well as dangerous driving. He has now been jailed for two years and nine months.

Inspector Mike McFall of Matrix Serious and Organised Crime, Roads Policing Unit said: "We welcome these sentences, which should serve as a warning to anyone else considering taking such reckless action against police. These two dangerous offenders believed in using violence to aid their escape from police, and in doing so, showed complete disregard for the safety of police and towards other road users.

"Unfortunately for Waring and Foley, they only succeeded in raising their profile as a risk to the public, which resulted in a joint investigation by Sefton CID and Matrix Serious and Organised Crime unit and, ultimately, substantial terms of imprisonment."

More from IBTimes UK