Police warning after series of assaults on officers

Violence against police "shouldn't be normalised or dismissed" as part of the job, a senior officer has said following a series of assaults.

South Yorkshire Police said six officers were attacked while on duty over the weekend.

Two people have been charged with assaulting a police constable.

Supt Pete Spratt said: "Police officers are human beings too, with their own levels of physical and mental resilience, and we must not forget that."

An officer was put in a choke hold and scratched on the neck while attending a domestic incident, with another assaulted but left uninjured, the force said.

Another officer was kicked in the side of the head at a separate family dispute.

Three others were assaulted following a call out to a man in a mental health crisis, with one officer suffering a concussion and suspected ligament damage, according to a spokeperson for the force.

A further three ambulance staff were also assaulted during the incident, South Yorkshire Police said.

Supt Spratt said: "I want to take this opportunity to recognise the dedication of the six officers who were assaulted over the weekend.

"All those who were physically able to do so returned to work - not because they had to, but because they are dedicated to their duties and continuing to protect people.

"But we cannot overlook the fact that incidents of assault and abuse often can have significant physical and psychological impacts on an individual and the people around them."

He added: "Violence and abuse against police officers shouldn't be normalised or dismissed as 'part of the job' - it is not acceptable and never will be."