Pic: Gareth Milner (CC by 2.0)
Two Lewisham police officers were seriously attacked in New Cross by a group of 30 school children, the Metropolitan Police revealed today.
One officer was taken to a south London hospital as a precaution for his injuries after the incident that took place at 4pm on Wednesday, November 9.
The officers were on a routine patrol of the area when they spotted a young male allegedly hiding a large knife. Police say that after attempting to search the suspect, one of the officers was punched in the face several times by a number of youths, causing him to fall to the ground.
When the second police officer attempted to help her colleague she was also allegedly confronted with a youth who punched her in the jaw. The Met say that the large group continued to attack the officer on the ground, repeatedly kicking him in the head and leaving him with serious bruising.
“I’m appealing to anyone who witnessed this shocking attack on two officers to come forward and speak with us, particularly anyone with mobile phone footage of the incident.” – Detective Sergeant Jenny White.
Police arrested a 15-year-old male at the scene on suspicion of actual bodily harm. He was taken to a south London police station and subsequently bailed to a date in mid-December.
Lewisham police say many people in the area filmed the incident and are appealing for anyone with mobile footage to come forward. The attack took place on Goodwood Road near the junction with New Cross Road.
Detective Sergeant Jenny White, of Lewisham police, said: “I’m appealing to anyone who witnessed this shocking attack on two officers to come forward and speak with us, particularly anyone with mobile phone footage of the incident.”
“It happened at a very busy time of the day and there would’ve been a large number of people in the area.”
“These officers go to work every day to keep the public safe and this demonstrates the dangers the police can face while carrying out these duties.”
Police are urging anyone with any information is urged to contact Lewisham CID on 020 8284 8365 or 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
