6 police officers injured arresting woman, 42, who ‘bit, scratched and pushed’ them

Six police officers and custody staff have been injured while dealing with an arrested woman, Wiltshire Police said.

A female detention officer suffered a hairline fracture when she was bitten on her arm during the incident in Gablecross police station in Swindon on Saturday night.

The officer was taken to hospital for treatment and is now recovering at home.

Police had been called to Groves Street at about 10.40pm following reports of a brick being thrown through a window.

When a local woman, 42, was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, police said: “She became abusive and aggressive to officers and staff and bit, scratched and pushed those who were trying to deal with her.”

Most of the other injuries to the six officers and staff were minor.

Inspector Carly Nesbitt said: “It is completely unacceptable that our officers and staff were subjected to this nasty assault while simply doing their job.

“This level of violence is sadly becoming more commonplace and we now see our teams abused and assaulted on a daily basis.

“I would like to commend those on duty last night for their service and wish them all a swift recovery.”

It comes as concern about violence faced by police grows.

PC Andrew Harper, 28, died from multiple injuries after being dragged by a car while responding to a reported burglary near Sulhamstead in Berkshire.

Katy Bourne, the chairwoman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), said: “If you attack a police officer, you need to know you will go to prison; no ifs, no buts.

“I think a strengthening of the sentences there would be very welcome. I’m sure the public feel exactly the same.

“How have we come [to a point] as a society to the fact where we almost accept this every day?”

(c) Sky News 2019: 6 police officers injured arresting woman, 42, who ‘bit, scratched and pushed’ them