Man arrested after police officers assaulted

Devon and Cornwall Police were called at about 22:15 BST on Monday to Esplanade Road, Paignton

A member of the public has been thanked after restraining a suspect who allegedly assaulted two police officers and two other people.

Devon and Cornwall Police were called at about 22:15 BST on Monday to Esplanade Road, Paignton, after reports that a male suspect had assaulted a man and a woman.

Officers attended and during an attempted arrest of the suspect, the suspect punched one officer to the head, police said.

The suspect then swung at another officer who was trying to restrain him before attempting to flee, the force added.

The member of the public then intervened to restrain the suspect until a third officer arrived.

A man in his 30s from Hampshire has been arrested on suspicion of two assaults of an emergency worker and remains in police custody, police said.

Ch Spt Roy Linden, Police Commander for South Devon said: "Police officers respond to violent situations every day and sadly this incident is another example of public servants being subjected to inexcusable and unacceptable violence while simply trying to do their job and protect the public.

"I would like to sincerely thank the member of the public who assisted our officers in this instance and helped ensure the arrest of the suspect."