A NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with wounding and dangerous driving after a police officer's wrist was injured after trying to stop a car.

Police said that at around 11.45pm, on April 16, last year, officers approached a car travelling on the East Lancashire Road in St Helens after they noticed it was carrying six people, one of whom was in the boot.

When one of the officers approached the driver’s door, the driver of the vehicle attempted to drive off, police claim.

The officer tried to stop the car by opening the driver’s door.

The driver of the vehicle allegedly drove off while the officer held on to the door which caused an injury to his right wrist.

The officer sustained a fractured wrist following the incident, police said.

A suspect was later identified and arrested.

Marshall Smith, of Waltersgreen Crescent, Golborne, was later charged with wounding of a police officer and dangerous driving.

Smith, 19, is due to appear before Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates' Court this afternoon, Wednesday, February 21.