TWO police chases in four days caused havoc in Trowbridge as police resources were stretched to the maximum.

One police car was rammed in Church Street on Friday night while a second was driven at head-on by a suspect in Silver Street just three days later.

To add to the pressure on resources, three officers were injured during a spate of violent disorders in Melksham and Trowbridge over the weekend, with one male officer knocked unconscious.

Officers are hunting a car thief who rammed a police car in Church Street at 10pm on Friday.

As police pulled up to investigate reports of a stolen vehicle, the suspect rammed it into the police car before speeding off.

The vehicle was found abandoned close by and inquiries are continuing.

Three days later police launched a second full-scale search for a suspected disqualified driver, resulting in a car chase through Trowbridge town centre.

An off-duty policeman, who spotted the suspected banned driver in Frome Road, just after 3pm, raised the alarm.

A Peugeot 205 at the centre of the inquiry was tracked down to Silver Street where a police car was driven at head-on before the Peugeot drove into Church Street.

The force helicopter helped with the hunt but a police spokesman said a road pursuit was called off over fears for the safety of police officers and members of the public.

A 28-year-old Trowbridge man was arrested at 5am Tuesday morning and has been charged with driving while disqualified.

Appearing before Chippenham magistrates yesterday James Brewer, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody to be questioned over other offences.

l In a weekend of violence three police officers suffered injuries in Melksham and Trowbridge.

PC Stuart Johnson was knocked unconscious in a disturbance at Broker's Wood Country Park, near Trowbridge, on Thursday night.

Police were called to the beauty spot following reports of a drink-driver causing havoc on a campsite.

PC Johnson was kicked in the head as he tried to make an arrest.

The Trowbridge-based officer was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath and treated for muscular neck injuries.

A father and son were arrested and charged in connection with the disturbance.

A 23-year-old man from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, has been charged with causing actual bodily harm to a police officer and a second count of actual bodily harm on a woman, who suffered head injuries in the ruck.

A 56-year-old Birmingham man has been charged with common assault and drink driving.

In a second incident a special constable was taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm, sustained while making an arrest in Lowbourne at 2.40am on Sunday.

SC Liz Donohue was taken to the RUH where x-rays showed no bone was broken.

A second special constable, Benjamin Holloway, was also assaulted while arresting a man on suspicion of breaching the peace.

A 17-year-old youth has been charged with being drunk and disorderly and assaulting an officer and will appear before magistrates in Chippenham on September 1.