Police officers bitten during 'deplorable' attacks

Several police officers in Suffolk have been attacked in the last 10 days

Police have vowed to take action after a number of officers were assaulted in a spate of “utterly deplorable” attacks.

Suffolk Police officers from across the force have been subjected to a variety of attacks over the last 10 days.

The incidents ranged from physical violence, including biting and headbutting, to blood being spat in the faces of officers.

Ch Supt Alice Scott said: “We will take action against the perpetrators in order to secure a prosecution and bring them to justice. Any kind of assault is appalling.”

She added: “Our officers support and protect people in the community and it is unacceptable that they are then assaulted during the course of their duties.

“At the same time as supporting our frontline officers we will take action against the perpetrators in order to secure a prosecution and bring them to justice.

“Officers receive extensive training to reduce the likelihood of them being assaulted and minimising the risk of harm if an assault takes place.”

Examples of attacks on Suffolk Police officers

Lowestoft – Officer kicked in the chest and punched in the head and another bitten

Newmarket – Officer attending a domestic violence dispute assaulted

Ipswich – Officer punched in the head and a colleague headbutted at Ipswich Hospital after a man was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving following a crash

Bury St Edmunds – Officer escorting a woman suspected of drink-driving offences to cells kicked three times in the leg

Ipswich – Officer punched after door staff were reportedly assaulted

Worlington – Man tried to bite officers after a collision

Stowmarket – Officer bitten on the arm by a woman being taken to custody suspected of being drunk and disorderly

Lowestoft – Officer kicked in the face and blood spat in the faces of two other officers

Martlesham – Officer kicked in the leg at the police investigation centre

Bungay/Gorleston – Following a domestic abuse incident, officer spat at in the James Paget Hospital

Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s police and crime commissioner, says the attacks are 'utterly deplorable'

Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s police and crime commissioner, said: “Any attack on our police officers is utterly deplorable.

"There is no excuse for this sort of behaviour in any circumstances. I hope anyone found guilty of such appalling actions feel the full force of the law.

“People need to remember the police are only doing their job, to maintain law and order and keep everybody in Suffolk safe.”