POLICE have thanked the ‘vast majority’ of people in Warwickshire who behaved responsibly over the weekend as pubs and bars reopened.
But eight Warwickshire Police officers were assaulted in five separate drunken incidents on Saturday and Sunday.
In Leamington a PCSO was kicked in the ribs after attending a report of antisocial behaviour in the Parade around 2am on Sunday morning. A 19-year-old man from Leamington was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and committing a public order offence. He was released under investigation while enquiries continue.
In Rugby violent disorder in Castle Street saw a brick thrown through the rear window of a police car around 1.30am of Saturday morning. An officer was allegedly assaulted but she was uninjured.
A 16-year-old girl from Rugby was arrested and later charged with common assault and assaulting a police officer. She will appear at Coventry Youth Court on August 13.
A 17-year-old girl from Rugby was arrested on suspicion of assault, and being drunk and disorderly. She was released under investigation while enquiries continue.
There were also incidents in the north of the county.
The force had extra officers on the streets on Saturday to help keep people safe, having urged people ahead of the weekend to behave responsibly and respect social distancing.
Ch Supt Ben Smith from Warwickshire Police said: “As we expected, the vast majority of people who went out over the weekend behaved responsibly and we’d like to thank them.
“There’s no doubt it was a busy weekend for officers across the whole county but despite some isolated incidents people were generally well behaved at licensed premises.
“I’d also like to thank owners and staff at pubs and bars. It has been a particularly tough few months for their businesses but most have worked exceptionally hard to ensure their premises were safe to welcome back customers.
“There were unfortunately a number of officers assaulted in drunker incidents over the weekend and we will be looking to deal with those responsible in a robust manner.
“Most have families who they say goodbye to before every shift not knowing what they are going to face over the coming hours. Like everyone else they have a right to work in a safe environment and should know they can return to their families safe and uninjured at the end of a shift.
“Where people think it is acceptable to be violent towards officers we will look to use the full force of the law to bring them to justice.”
Anyone with information that could help police with their enquiries relating to the weekend’s incidents should call 101, or alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
