Police officers assaulted with sledgehammers in "disturbing" South Gloucestershire attack
Six people have been arrested but others managed to flee the scene
Last updated 6th Aug 2024
An incident in which more than a dozen people used a vehicle to ram a building in South Gloucestershire and then attacked it with weapons, is being called "disturbing" and "outrageous" by Avon and Somerset (AS) Police.
Officers were called to the scene on Bollingbroke Way in Patchway shortly before 4am this morning (Tuesday 6th August).
A video shared online by Palestine Action shows a large vehicle being driven through the fencing of the site and used to ram the entrance to the building, with employees of the business then assaulted by those involved when they tried to intervene.
Officers were on the scene within minutes and were able to arrest six people, but during the incident two officers were assaulted with a sledgehammer.
"One of the officers has been taken to hospital with injuries to her back while the other officer received medical treatment at the scene by paramedics after being struck on the back of his legs," a statement from AS Police reads.
"At least one of the business’ employees was also treated at the scene for an injury to their head."
Other people involved managed to flee the scene, leaving behind sledgehammers, axes, whips and other homemade weapons, which have been seized.
Superintendent Paul Wigginton said: “This is a disturbing incident involving people willing to use significant violence against anyone who got in their way as they targeted this business.
“The criminal damage is bad enough but to attack people with weapons is outrageous.
“Some of those involved were able to flee the scene but detectives are already working hard to bring them into custody.
“There is no justification whatsoever for what happened and those responsible will face severe consequences."
Forensic analysis is now planned of the weapons left behind and of the vehicle used to ram the building.
The officers who responded are being praised for their courage.
“The Chief Constable has visited the officer who was taken to hospital and while she continues to receive treatment, thankfully her injuries are not serious," Superintendent Wigginton said.
“It is a sad fact that officers now expect to face acts of violence as they respond to crimes in action and protect the public. This is completely unacceptable and anyone responsible for such shameful behaviour can expect to go to prison.”