Shocking TEETH MARKS left on arm of policewoman, 21, after ‘lowest of the low’ thug bites her while she explains lockdown rules to him on street
- The officer was attacked when responding to reports of a street disturbance in Rochdale
- The man punched two officers, including the officer he bit on Thursday
- A 29-year-old man has been arrested and is being questioned in custody
A police constable was left with teeth marks on her arm by a man after responding to a suspect ignoring lockdown rules.
The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer, 21, was attacked after she responded with colleagues to reports of a street disturbance in Rochdale.
Officers attempted to explain to the man in line with government guidelines he should not be visiting other people’s homes.
He punched two officers, including the constable he bit which left teeth marks.
It comes as police across UK have been clamping down on Britons flouting lockdown with people having barbecues on Brighton beach and sunbathing in Hyde Park.
Last weekend a south London park closed after 3,000 people visited despite the government’s plea for people to stay indoors.
The Greater Manchester Police officer was bitten while responding to reports of a street disturbance in Rochdale
The officer had to go to hospital after the incident on Thursday around 6.40pm. She was later discharged.
She had been delivering Easter eggs to children days earlier while out on patrol, GMP said.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins later tweeted: ‘Words fail me when it comes to some people’s behaviour.
‘This is shocking at the best of times, but during a Coronavirus Pandemic this is just the lowest of the low.
‘I trust the CPS & Court will now do what we all expect of them!’
Home Secretary Priti Patel retweeted the message.
Officers attempted to explain to the man that he should not be visiting other people’s homes during coronavirus lockdown. He lashed out by punching two police officers, including the one he bit
A 29-year-old man was arrested and is being questioned in custody on suspicion of criminal damage, domestic violence assault, section 18 assault with intent to resist arrest and regulation 8 of the Health Protection Regulation 2020 (Coronavirus).
Superintendent Richard Hunt said: ‘No police officer should have to come to work – doing a job to serve and protect our communities – and be assaulted.
‘It is absolutely disgusting that my officer was faced with this last night and all of our thoughts are with her as she rests at home.
Hundreds of people, including these two pictured today in London’s Hyde Park, continued to ignore the lockdown rules to take advantage of the sunny weather
The widespread action in public places, pictured, comes as Downing Street has been forced to warn police officers against ‘heavy-handed’ lockdown tactics
A substantial police presence has been in force throughout the day, pictured, to crack down on those flouting the rules
‘I recognise that the pictures we are releasing today are quite graphic but I hope they help people to understand the vicious nature of this attack and I know that the people of Greater Manchester will join me in wishing our officer a fast and peaceful recovery.’
‘This is a particularly challenging time for everybody at the moment, made worse by something so mindless like this.
‘Having spoken to the officer earlier this morning, she said that last night’s incident was a stark contrast to the support she has felt over the past few days while she has been delivering Easter eggs to local children whilst out on patrol.
‘This just goes to show that, thankfully, incidents like this are not a reflection of the vast majority of the public who are showing great support to us.’
A Chief Constable said yesterday that the police could soon look through people’s shopping items for ‘essential items’ and impose road blocks if the lockdown wasn’t taken seriously.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the Government was not considering more stringent lockdown restrictions.
