PC hurt in aftermath of Friday night street fracas
Tuesday, 25th October 2011.
A Haverhill policeman is likely to be off work until Christmas after having his shoulder dislocated while trying to arrest a teenager in Haverhill High Street on Friday night.
PC Michael Potter, along with other officers, had gone to the scene of a large street fracas outside the Bell at around 11.40pm.
Although the fracas largely sorted itself out with members of the crowd restraining others, one youth continued to be abusive in the street.
Police initially issued him with a public order notice to stop swearing, which he did not, and then with a section 27 instruction to leave the area for a specific period.
The youth refused and was therefore subject to arrest which he resisted. In the ensuing struggle to arrest him PC Potter received his injury and PC Richard Oldroyd suffered a hand injury.
PC Potter was taken to hospital and released next day, but is expected to be off work for several weeks.
Haverhill's new police chief, Insp Peter Ferrie, said this sort of incident, in which a police officer suffered a serious injury, was most unusual in Haverhill.
"We wish PC Potter a speedy recovery," he said. "His job is really necessary and we need PCs out on the street.
"Of course we will deal with any disorder in the high street very firmly."
In total seven officers were involved in the incident and Insp Ferrie praised the quick support of the response unit based at Haverhill, to an incident which initially only involved members of the Safer Neighbourhood Team.
A 19-year-old has been arrested and charged with assaulting the two police officers, resisting arrest and a public order offence.
PC Michael Potter, along with other officers, had gone to the scene of a large street fracas outside the Bell at around 11.40pm.
Although the fracas largely sorted itself out with members of the crowd restraining others, one youth continued to be abusive in the street.
Police initially issued him with a public order notice to stop swearing, which he did not, and then with a section 27 instruction to leave the area for a specific period.
The youth refused and was therefore subject to arrest which he resisted. In the ensuing struggle to arrest him PC Potter received his injury and PC Richard Oldroyd suffered a hand injury.
PC Potter was taken to hospital and released next day, but is expected to be off work for several weeks.
Haverhill's new police chief, Insp Peter Ferrie, said this sort of incident, in which a police officer suffered a serious injury, was most unusual in Haverhill.
"We wish PC Potter a speedy recovery," he said. "His job is really necessary and we need PCs out on the street.
"Of course we will deal with any disorder in the high street very firmly."
In total seven officers were involved in the incident and Insp Ferrie praised the quick support of the response unit based at Haverhill, to an incident which initially only involved members of the Safer Neighbourhood Team.
A 19-year-old has been arrested and charged with assaulting the two police officers, resisting arrest and a public order offence.
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