Met Police officer knocked unconscious after being thrown against wall while making arrest in Hackney

"This is another shocking and disgraceful example of the dangers faced by officers"
The Metropolitan Police officer was thrown against a wall (file photo)
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Imogen Braddick19 August 2020

A police officer was knocked unconscious after he was thrown against a wall by a man he was trying to arrest in east London, police have said.

Officers were called shortly before 5pm on Tuesday to reports of a man being verbally abusive and throwing glasses at a pub in Mare Street, Hackney.

While attempting to arrest the man, police said the officer was assaulted and thrown against a wall, causing him to lose consciousness after hitting his head.

The officer was taken to hospital for treatment to a cut to his head. His injuries are not life-threatening, Scotland Yard said.

Another officer used PAVA spray to detain the man before more police units arrived.

A 46-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and assaulting a police officer and remains in custody.

Marcus Barnett BCU Commander for Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: "This is another shocking and disgraceful example of the dangers faced by officers who day in and day out do their utmost to keep Londoners safe.

"It is important to remember that police officers are ordinary people who come into work every day not knowing what they will face and they deserve our support. My thoughts are with my injured officer and his family."

The Metropolitan Police has seen assaults on officers rise by 37 per cent in the past three months, figures show.

The force said 2,027 assaults were recorded between May and July, compared with 1,475 in the same months in 2019.

Bosses believe the rise has been fuelled by scuffles during protests and operations to shut down unlicensed music events, as well as coughing and spitting attacks linked to coronavirus.

Data shows that in the 12 months from August 2019, 6,668 officers were attacked – a 16 per cent rise on the previous year – 42 per cent of whom were injured.

Chief Inspector Dave Brewster, who leads the Met’s Operation Hampshire which focuses on officer assaults, said: "It is clear that assaults on police officers and staff are increasing year on year and the impact this has on our profession cannot and should not be underestimated.

"Assaults should never be seen as ‘part of the job’ and officers should be able to go about their work without fear of abuse or attack."