10 Wiltshire Police officers assaulted in ONE night
Four of the officers were attacked in Steeple Langford
Last updated 25th Jan 2022
A Wiltshire Police Superintendent has described one night of duty across the county 'absolutely shocking' after 10 officers were subjected to assaults.
The attacks all happened on Saturday night (22nd January).
In one of the incidents, police were called to The Wir in Steeple Langford at around 9.15pm, where a member of the public had reported he's been physically assaulted by a woman, who had also damaged his car.
Three of the officer who attended assaulted by a woman while she was being arrested, and also by a man who lived at the same address.
Another officer was racially abuse verbally by a teenage boy.
Three arrests were made there:
- 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
Other incidents happened in Trowbridge, where six officers were punched and kicked by youth whole responding to reports of a noisy house party.
Five teenagers - three girls and two boys, aged between 13 and 16 - were arrested on suspicion of assaulting emergency workers.
One of the girls arrested, a 16 year old, was also further arrested on suspicion of obstructing police.
Then in Chippenham, an officer was punched in the face after being called out to reports of a teenager emptying wheelie bins and throwing stones at properties.
A 16 year old boy was arrested on suspicion of assaulting and emergency worker and for a Section 5 public order offence.
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 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.”
PCC'S REACTION
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson has given his response to the assaults, saying those behind the attacks will 'feel the full force of justice'.
In a statement, he's said:
“Those who put their lives on the line to defend, protect and keep communities safe should not have to face violence, or abuse of any kind, as they carry out their jobs.
“I am thoroughly shocked and saddened that ten Wiltshire Police officers were assaulted for just doing their jobs in the course of one weekend and I hope they all make a full recovery and return to duty as soon as they are able.
“We are lucky those assaulted escaped serious injury but that shouldn’t detract from the fact this is utterly unacceptable – and the situation could so easily have been different. We all know that one punch can kill in certain circumstances and we must not under-estimate the mental effects of being assaulted, which can be long-lasting.
“I have been clear: any person assaulting an emergency service worker should expect to be prosecuted and feel the full force of the justice system. There’s simply no excuse.”