DRUMCHAPEL police have been heartened by the response from the community since the alleged murder bid on two of their own, says their boss.

Neil MacDougall, area inspector for Glasgow North West, said messages of support have been passed to police since a car ran over the two officers on Sunday.

And he said the incident has brought home the reality of how easily something can go wrong on the job.

Both constables continue to recover from their injuries.

Insp MacDougall, speaking exclusively to the Post, said: "We are supporting the families of our officers and I have been involved in that personally. It's a tough time for them but we are resilient and we look after one another.

"I know the officers and their families have picked up on the community support and I cannot thank the public enough for that support.

"Every card received at a police station in Clydebank, Drumchapel and across Glasgow, every kind thought about the two cops - and their colleagues out on the street right now - on social media and every piece of information that comes in to help this investigation is appreciated by us all."

Around 11.15pm on October 23, PCs Deborah Lawson, 30, and Robert Fitzsimmons, 31, were responding to a call in Banner Drive, Knightswood.

Whilst carrying out their enquiries, they stopped a car to speak to the occupants when the car reversed and struck both officers, leaving them seriously injured.

PC Lawson was initially in intensive care but was later moved from the ICU while PC Fitzsimmons has now been released from hospital.

Insp MacDougall said: "Local officers are devastated by what happened to their colleagues. But everyone has rallied behind them.

"Everyone from politicians to community groups and people from all over the world have been in touch. That's amazing, that it reaches so far. That's really heartening.

"The community do value what we do day to day. It's encouraging for ourselves and for everyone who has to go back out there.

"We have a lot of reassurance patrols in place and the community need our backing, and to get that coming back the other way is amazing."

Insp MacDougall said serious injuries in the line of duty were rare, but individuals can frequently struggle violently when being arrested.

He said: "Officers do get hurt and they put themselves in harm's way every single day. This incident is a sobering reminder about what can happen. Every single cop can identify with the situation the officers have been in."

Any witnesses to the incident on October 23 are asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers.