POLICE have lambasted the reckless idiot who threw a rock at a police car from an A419 roadside.

Insp Colin Conway said the incident "could have ended up as a fatality".

Officers were called to the A419, just past the turning for the A420 northbound in Swindon in the early hours of Sunday after a motorist reported a rock hitting his roof.

But the two constables came under attack themselves, when the windscreen of their patrol car was hit by a rock thrown from the side of the road. They were left covered in splintered glass, but otherwise unhurt.

Inspector Colin Conway said: “This is an idiotic, reckless thing to do which could have ended up as a fatality.

“These actions could have caused serious harm to all road users and it beggars belief that someone would do this.

“It appears someone or a group have thrown the rocks from the side of the road.

“It also appears that these rocks might have been collected from a nearby railway line which is another danger in itself.

“I would urge anyone who witnessed this or may have information as to who is involved, to contact us immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 and quote log 13 of May 5.