Six South Yorkshire Police officers assaulted
it happened over the weekend
Six officers from South Yorkshire Police have been assaulted over the weekend.
The Force says two officers were assaulted while attending a domestic incident. While one was uninjured, the second officer was put into a choke hold and received scratches and cuts to his neck.
A further family dispute incident later in the weekend led to an officer being kicked in the side of the head while assisting.
A third call to a man in mental health crisis near train tracks led to three officers being assaulted, one with a suspected ligament damage to their ankle and concussion, as well as a further three ambulance workers also being assaulted.
The incidents remain under investigation, with two individuals currently charged with assaulting a police constable.
Superintendent Pete Spratt, who is South Yorkshire Police's force lead for Operation Hampshire, the national response to assaults and abuse against police officers and staff, said:
"Our officers understand that policing will always involve a degree of risk and when they put on the uniform, they will likely face difficult and unpredictable situations. What they should not have to accept is being assaulted because they are doing their job.
"Violence and abuse against police officers shouldn't be normalised or dismissed as 'part of the job' - it is not acceptable and never will be.
"I want to take this opportunity to recognise the dedication of the six officers who were assaulted over the weekend.
"All those who were physically able to do so returned to work - not because they had to, but because they are dedicated to their duties and continuing to protect people. But we cannot overlook the fact that incidents of assault and abuse often can have significant physical and psychological impacts on an individual and the people around them.
"Police officers are human beings too, with their own levels of physical and mental resilience, and we must not forget that."
South Yorkshire Police said:
"Through Operation Hampshire, alongside police forces nationally, we are committed to supporting our officers and staff who are impacted by physical assault and verbal abuse. When they are attacked, our officers and staff become victims just like any other, but victims who have been attacked while trying to protect others from being victimised."