'Feeding frenzy' of police attack

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/7428487.stm

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Seventy youths who attacked two Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in a park have been likened to sharks at a feeding frenzy.

Tim Quiterio, 26, and Po Yung, 31, were pelted with bottles, kicked and punched by the marauding gang on 9 May in Plymstock, Devon.

The PSCOs were attacked after responding to reports of a fight in Radford Park.

Nine people have been arrested and released on police bail until August.

Devon and Cornwall Police said when other officers arrived, they had to use incapacitating spray and batons to break up the mob.

The gang members were like sharks Det Sgt Matt Lawrence

Mr Quiterio said he was surrounded by the mob as he attempted to calm the situation.

"It was like a feeding frenzy and quickly got way out of control," he said.

"I was pushed to the floor, kicked and had bottles thrown at me."

Ms Yung said it had been a frightening situation.

'Further arrests'

"When I think about it now, I think anything could have happened in those few minutes," she said.

"We were lucky it didn't get any worse."

Det Sgt Matt Lawrence, who is leading the investigation into the attack, said a further 17 people faced arrest unless they voluntarily came forward.

"The gang members were like sharks - they kept coming back to have a go," he said.

The nine people arrested in connection with the incident have been released on police bail to return to Charles Cross Police Station in Plymouth on 11 and 13 August.