An eight-year-old girl was taken to hospital after she was injured in a suspected hit-and-run in Sunderland.
Police were called to reports of the collision on Allendale Road in Farringdon at about 5.30pm on Monday.
The vehicle involved, believed to be a Ford Mondeo, did not stop at the scene, leaving the young girl injured at the side of the road.
She was taken to hospital as a precaution but her injuries were not serious.
Police are trying to trace the driver and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
PC Graham Smith, of Northumbria Police’s motor patrols department, said: “This was a frightening incident which saw a car collide with a child and leave the scene. Thankfully, the girl in question did not suffer serious injuries but we are treating this very seriously.
“We will continue to offer support to the girl and her family, who were understandably shaken by what happened.
“We are carrying out a range of enquiries to trace the driver in question, and would appeal for them to come forward and make themselves known to police as soon as possible.
“The vehicle is described as a Ford Mondeo Ghia with a 57 or 58 plate, with a Y prefix which is black in colour. The car has a distinctive chrome trim around the windows, front grill and lower front grill – and also has a rear spoiler.
“We are asking anyone who recognises this particular vehicle, which is likely to be local to the area, to come forward – your information could be of vital help to our investigation.”
Anyone with information can contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the Northumbria Police website or by calling 101 quoting log 817 of September 7.
Alternatively, you can email 1092@northumbria.pnn.police.uk.
