A police officer from Bedfordshire Police was seriously assaulted over the weekend after officers tried to break up an illegal party.
On Saturday 13th June, officers were called to an address in Underwood Close, Luton, to reports that around 20 people had gathered at the property.
As officers tried to break the party up, following the government’s rules on social distancing, one of the two officers present had a drink thrown in his face by a male and was then hit over the head with an object.
The emergency ambulance service was requested to attend the scene by Bedfordshire Police, and the officer was treated by paramedics.
He was then taken to Accident & Emergency, where he received multiple stitches to his head wound.
The second officer was also assaulted at the scene and suffered minor injuries.
Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Kathryn Holloway, has used the incident as a catalyst to renew calls for people to maintain social distancing and stay at home if they can
“It is outrageous that a police officer who was acting to protect the wider public with regard to the deadly risks presented by the coronavirus should have been attacked and injured in this way,” said Commissioner Holloway.
“We all need to take the greatest possible care, acting together, with police in support of this.
“A vicious assault of one of our officers is not part of the job and is wholly unacceptable in any circumstances but, especially, in those represented by the current emergency.”
Both Bedford and Luton are in the top 50 local authority areas nationally for the proportion of people infected with Covid-19.
Different agencies across Bedfordshire have noted an increase in recent weeks of groups holding larger gatherings such as barbecues and parties.
This coincides with a national trend that is seeing more and more illegal parties and gatherings taking place.
Some revellers have cited the fact that protests in London and around the country have been allowed to go ahead when asked why they now feel it is ‘ok’ to attend large gatherings, despite stringent social distancing rules still being in place.
Following Saturday’s incident in Bedfordshire, two women in their 20s, a man in his 20s and an 18-year-old man were stopped in a car after they left the scene.
They were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, assaulting an emergency worker and affray.
All four have been released under investigation while police enquiries continue.
Detective Inspector Tom Hamm said:
“This sort of behaviour is clearly unacceptable, and I am sure many of the people at this party feel exactly the same way.
“If you know who did this please get in touch with us, or speak to Crimestoppers, who will accept information about this or any other incident with complete anonymity and in full confidence.”
Anyone with any information is asked to visit bedfordshire.police.uk/report or call 101, quoting reference 526 of 13th June.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit their website
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