Six police officers were kicked, punched, spat at and bitten by a man caught smashing up cars.
Cheshire Constabulary confirmed six of its officers were assaulted while dealing with reports of a man damaging vehicles in the Neston area at around 2.30pm on Friday, December 22. During the attack one officer was bitten on the face and punched, with another five kicked, punched and spat at.
A spokesperson for the force said 11 people were arrested after more than 20 police officers were assaulted over the Christmas period. The day after the incident in Neston, an officer was headbutted after stopping a vehicle in Chester in the early hours.
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On Christmas Eve four officers suffered various injuries after being kicked, punched and bitten while arresting a man at 5.40am in Warrington in connection to an assault in the town centre. Meanwhile three officers were assaulted in three separate incidents on Christmas day itself including being kicked, pushed, spat at and racially abused.
Other officer assaults over the festive period included four incidents where officers were spat at, along with multiple reports of officers being pushed, punched, and kicked.
Cheshire Constabulary Chief Superintendent Alison Ross said: "While the vast majority of residents in Cheshire were able to spend the festive period celebrating with their family and friends, many police officers and staff were forgoing festive family time to work day and night to protect the public and put criminals behind bars.
“It is an expectation of policing that our staff work unsociable hours which we do to protect the public. However, Christmas is supposed to be the time of goodwill to all, so what they do not expect when they give up precious time with their partners, family and friends is that they would instead spend their time being kicked, punched, bitten and headbutted.
"The impact of these assaults should not be underestimated – not only does this have an effect on the officers physical and mental wellbeing, it also potentially takes an officer off the streets for a period of time putting added pressure on other officers."
The chief superintendent added: “The majority of police assaults which occurred over Christmas were related to alcohol or drugs, so over the new year weekend, we’re urging people to think twice.
"Our officers will once again be out in force protecting our communities throughout the weekend, and while we don’t want to spoil the fun, we’re asking people to behave appropriately, otherwise when the clock strikes midnight you might end up celebrating in one of our cells."
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