Arrest after officer suffers racially aggravated assault
A man has been arrested following a racially aggravated assault on an officer from Sussex Police.
Officers were called to Eastern Road, Brighton at around 6am on Saturday (January 25) to a report of a man damaging a taxi. As officers arrived at the scene, the suspect assaulted the taxi driver and then racially abused and punched one of the attending police officers in the face.
A 37-year-old man from Hove was arrested on suspicion of racially or religiously aggravated harassment with fear of violence, assault by beating of an emergency worker, assaulting a person thereby causing them actual bodily harm and criminal damage. He has since been released under investigation and passed into the care of medical staff while the investigation is ongoing.
Chief Inspector Rachel Swinney said: “Our officers are not just police officers they are also part of the community. They come from many different backgrounds – they are mothers, fathers, carers, best friends and loved ones – and they do not deserve to be abused and assaulted in the line of duty.
“Our officers show courage and dedication every day when carrying out their duties and this is something we, as a community, must recognise.”
