Police officer ‘punched in the face’ while attending reports of criminal damage in Northampton

A police officer who was attending a report of criminal damage was punched in the face on Sunday (January 26).

The incident took place in Wellingborough Road, Northampton between 2.40am and 3.20am.

The officer suffered minor bruising as a result of the attack and the constable's ‘welfare is being managed’.

A 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident.

A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: “The incident happened in Wellingborough Road, Northampton, on January 26 between 2.40am and 3.20am, when during the attendance of reports of an incident of criminal damage, one of our special constables was punched in the face.

“A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and released under investigation pending further enquiries.

“The officer’s welfare is being managed – clearly no one comes to work to be assaulted, this is not ‘part of the job’ and we won’t tolerate assaults against any of our officers.

“They are simply trying to do their jobs of protecting the public and we will always pursue people who threaten their safety.”

Northamptonshire Police Superintendent Dennis Murray tweeted about this incident and another where a second officer was assaulted over the weekend.

On Sunday he said: “Two officers assaulted during the last 24 hours - both minor and both officers OK. Suspects have been arrested. Insp Darron Bishop picking up welfare today and our seven point plan to make sure they get the support they need.”

The police spokeswoman added: “The other incident involved an officer being spat at.”

At the time of writing, there was no other information available about the second incident.