Six people have been arrested after a police officer was attacked during a disturbance outside a Nottingham pub.
The sergeant was on duty as part of Operation Guardian, which sees uniformed officers, plain clothes police and a sniffer dog patrol the city centre during the night-time economy.
Shortly before 7.45pm on Saturday (13 December), the officer – who was in plain clothes – spotted a commotion outside Pit and Pendulum in Victoria Street involving a large group and bouncers at the venue.
In an effort to calm the group down, the sergeant produced his warrant card and identified himself as a police officer. The group then pulled him in the middle of the adjacent tram lines where several people punched and kicked him on the ground, leaving him with serious facial injuries.
Following the attack, the sergeant activated his emergency button and more police officers arrived and one was elbowed in the chest as a 29-year-old man and 25-year-old woman were detained at the scene.
Both were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. They were taken into custody for questioning and bailed with conditions pending further investigation work.
Following enquiries, four men aged 19, 19, 21 and 51 were later arrested from their home address on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. They have also been questioned and bailed with conditions.
The sergeant was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre and underwent a CT scan, which confirmed an eye socket fracture that may require surgery.
The officer elbowed in the chest did not sustain any injury.
Superintendent Chris Pearson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“While officers routinely face dangerous and high-risk situations, being assaulted must never be seen as just part of the job and we will be relentless in bringing to justice those who perpetrate violence on our streets.
“This was an abhorrent attack on an officer in the execution of his duties. Like his colleagues, he came into the police service to protect people and keep communities safe. It is therefore totally unacceptable that his attackers thought nothing of lashing out at someone who would be there to help them and their families if they needed it.
“It should never be forgotten that police officers and staff are members of the community. An attack on one of our officers is an attack on our community and will not be tolerated. As these arrests show, if anyone crosses that line, we will not hesitate to take robust action.
“All emergency service workers have the right to go about their duties without being subjected to violence. It is not – and never will be – part of the job.
“The officer suffered a serious injury but thankfully is expected to make a full recovery. I’d like to pay tribute to his bravery in intervening in this incident and we all wish him a speedy recovery.
“This was a contained incident and we are not looking for any other suspects at this time. I am pleased multiple arrests have been made and our enquiries into this unacceptable incident are continuing.”
