Police officer injured during traffic stop

A police officer has been knocked to the ground during a routine traffic stop on the Gold Coast.

The officer stopped a car in Nerang on Friday afternoon and opened the door in an attempt to speak to the driver.

The man accelerated, knocking the officer to the ground.

Police say the car had been stolen and the driver and his two passengers were later involved in a crash on nearby Beaudesert Nerang Road and fled the scene on foot.

The officer is expected to make a full recovery.