A POLICE officer seriously injured in a crash is “showing improvements”.

PC Peter Charlesworth, aged 45, a dog handler, suffered chest and head injuries when the police van he was driving crashed into a tree in Crompton Way, Bolton, at 12.40am on Thursday, April 26. He was responding to an incident in Halliwell.

A spokesman said PC Charlesworth has been moved off intensive care and was now in the high dependency unit.

He said: “He is making some improvements, but he is still seriously injured.” Firefighters had to cut PC Charlesworth out of the wreckage.

His partner Sue and family are keeping a bedside vigil. The cause of the crash is being investigated. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 8564745.