Ten police officers assaulted during separate incidents

• Total of 10 Wiltshire Police officers assaulted in three unrelated incidents over one evening
• Of the nine people arrested, seven were teenagers
• Senior police officer says the assaults were 'utterly unacceptable'

 

A total of 10 Wiltshire Police officers were assaulted during the course of their duties during three separate incidents last night. 

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.  

The officers were punched and kicked but thankfully were not seriously injured.

In an unrelated incident, three police officers were assaulted after being called to an incident in The Wir, Steeple Langford at 9.15pm yesterday (22/01) after a member of the public reported that he had been physically assaulted by a woman who had also damaged his car.

Three attending officers were assaulted by the woman as she was arrested and also 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.

They are all currently in police custody.

In a further incident, one of our officers was assaulted after responding to a number of reports from members of the public who reported a teenager emptying wheelie bins and throwing stones at properties in London Road, Chippenham at 10pm last night (22/01).

As the officer approached him, he punched her 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.

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.”