Ten police officers were assaulted whilst carrying out duties in Wiltshire overnight.
They were injured at three incidents in Trowbridge, Chippenham and Steeple Langford near Salisbury last night (22 January).
1. At 9.15pm police were called to The Wir, Steeple Langford, following a report that a woman had physically assaulted a member of the public and damaged his car.
Three attending officers were assaulted by the woman as she was arrested. They were also assaulted by a man living at the same address.
In addition, one of the attending officers was subject to verbal racial abuse by a 14-year old youth while carrying out his duties.
A 32-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, common assault and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.
A 40-year-old man was on suspicion of obstructing a police officer and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.
A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of committing a racially aggravated public order offence.
2. Responding to reports of a teenage male emptying wheelie bins and throwing stones at properties in London Road, Chippenham, at 10pm, a female police officer was punched in the face.
A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and was further arrested for a Section 5 public order offence. He is currently in police custody.
3. At 10.20pm, six officers were assaulted by youths after they responded to reports of a noisy house party in Mill Street, Trowbridge.
A total of five teenagers, three girls and two boys, ranging from 13-16 years old were arrested on suspicion of assaulting emergency workers and are currently in police custody.
One of those arrested, a 16-year-old girl, was additionally arrested on suspicion of obstructing police.
Superintendent Ben Mant, head of Wiltshire Police’s Public Protection Department, said: “The fact that ten of our officers were physically assaulted whilst carrying out their duties in just one evening is absolutely shocking.
“And that the majority of these assaults were carried out by teenagers is even more concerning.
“Thankfully none of the officers who were assaulted last night suffered serious or long term injury but I wouldn’t want to downplay the seriousness of these incidents in any way – it is utterly unacceptable that they should be subject to this sort of behaviour while they go about their duties to protect our communities and support victims of crime.
“The fact that our officers were attacked in this way is something we take extremely seriously and we shall robustly address.
“I would like to pay tribute to those officers who, despite having been assaulted, were able to continue to carry out their duties in such a professional manner.”
“The welfare of our officers, who routinely put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public, is a top priority and we will ensure that they receive appropriate support.”
