Police Officers Assaulted In Southampton

Two police officers have been assaulted while making an arrest in Southampton.

The officers were on patrol on St Mary Street around 1.40pm yesterday (2nd October) when they carried out a stop check on a group of people in an alleyway opposite the church. 

They were approached by another man and there was then a struggle. In trying to arrest the man, a female police constable was pushed to the floor and dragged along the road. She suffered cuts and bruises. The other officer, a male detective constable, also suffered minor cuts and bruises. 

A 31-year-old Southampton man was arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply and assault with intent to resist arrest. He remains in custody. 

Detective Sergeant Jan Bulfield from the Operation Fortress team said: “Both these officers were assaulted while carrying out their duties in Southampton. Thankfully they have not been seriously injured but have been shaken up nonetheless. 

“I would like to hear from anyone in confidence who witnessed this incident or who may have seen the struggle on St Mary Street around lunchtime.

“In particular, I’m interested in hearing from several people who were in the area at the time: a white girl in her twenties wearing headphones; an Asian man with headwear standing nearby; a number of people who stopped in cars, one who asked what was going on; a large group standing outside the college; a white man in a Southampton football shirt.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Operation Fortress team on 101 or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.