A police officer has been hospitalised by ram raiders who careered into her patrol car.
A manhunt is underway after the vehicle smash, which saw the 21-year-old officer cut by broken glass.
She was one of two officers who responded to reports of people breaking into units at Bluebell Business Park in Wigan this evening, Manchester Evening News reported.
They arrived and found the gates locked, so got out of their vehicle only to see a blue Kia coming towards them.
The officer jumped back into the patrol car before the other vehicle smashed into the gates and then the police car.
The impact caused the passenger window of the police car to shatter, a Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said, leaving the officer who had jumped back into the vehicle injured.
She has suffered cuts to her arms as a result of the broken glass and also has pain in her back.
The officer, who is said to have only recently joined the force, has gone to hospital to be checked over.
The offending car was found abandoned nearby shortly afterwards with the GMP spokesman saying the culprits had 'made good their escape.'
The vehicle has now been recovered for forensic analysis.
Tools were found in the car but no stolen goods.
It is believed at this stage that they tried to break into a number of units but nothing was stolen.
An investigation is now underway with detectives trying to trace those responsible.
Forensic crime scene investigation officers (CSI) were among those present at the scene this evening.
Police are asking witnesses or anyone with information to call them on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
