Police officers injured after being “attacked with axe”

A NUMBER of South Yorkshire Police officers have been injured – one seriously – following an incident in Sheffield where they were attacked with an axe.

The officers are receiving treatment for their injuries, which are not life-threatening. The injured officers’ families have been informed. Neil Bowles, Chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: “It is atrocious that we have five officers injured in the line of duty.”

Police were called to Plowright Close at around 7.50pm and made attempts to arrest a man, who is in his 30s. The man was arrested and remains in police custody.

Mr Bowles said: “This is an example of officers receiving a call from a member of the pubic and not knowing what they are going to face.

“It is atrocious that we have five officers injured in the line of duty – it is an attack on society because we now have five officers unable to work now for some time while they recover.”

One female police officer remains in hospital with serious injuries today (Thursday 14 April). The Sheffield PC suffered multiple serious injuries. The PC and a second male officer were injured as they made attempts to arrest the man.

Then three other officers, all men, were also injured as they arrested the man.

Mr Bowles added: “One of these officers needs to have an operation, today. We are fortunate that we are not looking at something even more serious.

“We have training and processes to follow but the fact remains that if you don’t know what you are facing there is always going to be an element of doubt when you turn up for a job, but officers have a sense of duty – they are there to protect the public, themselves and their colleagues.”