Robocop is in hospital after being critically injured by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bicycle.

PC Diederik Coetzee was commended for making 309 arrests in a year (Pic: Raymonds Press Partnership)

10:11am UK, Monday November 28, 2011

A Nottinghamshire police officer nicknamed Robocop because of his prolific arrest rate is in hospital after being critically injured by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bicycle.

PC Diederik Coetzee, who won a formal citation in 2005 for making 309 arrests in a single year, was in a stable condition in King's Mill Hospital following the collision in Blidworth, near Mansfield.

The South African-born officer was off duty when he was hit from behind on Blidworth Lane on Friday night. 

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Ged Hazelwood said: "Blidworth Lane is a poorly illuminated through-way but the collision happened during rush hour, when many people were headed home from work.

"PC Coetzee was wearing a high-visibility vest and had his bike lights turned on.

"Did you see what happened? Have you seen a grey car with damage to its front-end? Anyone with any information should contact us."

Nottinghamshire Police did not say if they believed the collision was deliberate.

PC Coetzee was a bomb disposal expert and dog handler in Johannesburg before he moved to Britain.

He was formally praised for making the record number of arrests while patrolling Mansfield's Ladywood estate on a mountain bike.

But weeks later he was ordered to stay away from a street near a youth centre amid complaints that people were put off attending as they feared arrest.