A traffic policeman was seriously injured as an unlicensed teenager drove off after the officer stopped him to check his documents, the police said in a statement.

The incident took place at 7.40am in the road leading from Qormi to Luqa.

The driver of the vehicle that hit the officer, who is only 17 years old, kept on driving away from the scene. The officer was dragged by the vehicle for several metres.

The vehicle, a Mercedes, was later found in the area known as Ta' Kandja. The driver was later apprehended in Hal Farrug Road.

The officer, Simon Schembri (photo) was seriously injured and taken to hospital for treatment. Schembri, a father of three, is a 48-year-old who lives in Paola.

One News uploaded a video of the accident (below).

Both the government and the Opposition expressed solidarity with the injured officer.

The PN condemned all forms of violence against police officers and urged the government to take all necessary decisions to make sure that officers were given greater protection when carrying out their duties. 

PM Joseph Muscat tweeted: “Solidarity with @MaltaPolice officer who was seriously injured in a hit-and-run incident while on traffic management duties. Glad alleged perpetrator has already been apprehended.”

The Malta Police Association condemned the incident, saying this was unacceptable in a civil society. 

It said the country cannot overlook the possibility that what happened was a reflecftion of a society that lacked discipline and respect towards the authorities. It urged the government to do more to protect police officers, who faced many dangers in the course of their duties. 

The POU-GWU also expressed solidarity with officer Schembri and wished him a speedy recovery.