Police officer arrests suspects despite assault

The officer has been praised for her courage

A police officer was pushed, kneed, hit in the head and put into a headlock as she tried to arrest a suspect.

The suspect was one of two men wanted for more than 40 offences between them who were arrested in York on Wednesday evening, North Yorkshire Police said.

A force spokesperson said the "courageous" officer still managed to arrest the pair, aged 19 and 30, despite both men assaulting her.

Their alleged crimes include burglary, possession of Class A drugs and theft of unattended motor vehicles, as well as assaulting an emergency worker.

Police said officers were called to reports of a man on a roof being chased by other men near the Punchbowl pub on Lowther Street just after 21:00 BST.

The 19-year-old had initially been detained by members of the public reporting a house burglary.

He was said to have pushed the officer and hit her in the face in a bid to resist arrest, but was detained after a member of the public offered assistance.

The officer then recognised the 30-year-old, who was also said to have resisted with violence.

"Despite being pushed, kneed, hit in the head and put into a headlock, the officer successfully detained the man while backup arrived at the scene," the force spokesperson said.

They confirmed both men remained in custody for questioning.

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