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Mob attacks officers over litter Mob attacks officers over litter
(about 3 hours later)
Two police officers are on sick leave after being attacked by a mob in south London after they asked a 15-year-old girl to pick up her litter. Two police officers were attacked by a mob in south London after they asked a 15-year-old girl to pick up her litter.
One officer was dragged to the ground and kicked while the other was bitten by a girl who jumped on his back.One officer was dragged to the ground and kicked while the other was bitten by a girl who jumped on his back.
Up to 30 people took part in the attack, which happened in North End, Croydon, on Wednesday afternoon.Up to 30 people took part in the attack, which happened in North End, Croydon, on Wednesday afternoon.
Trouble flared when the 15-year-old threw her food wrapper back on to the ground and became aggressive. Trouble flared when the 15-year-old threw her food wrapper back on to the ground and became aggressive. The two officers are currently on sick leave.
Hospital treatment One eyewitness said he saw two police officers struggling with a girl before a group of youths joined in and began pushing and shoving the officers.
It was disgusting the way they treated the police Eyewitness Lawen Karim
Lawen Karim, 19, said: "The girl got violent, her friends got really violent.
"The police - there were only two of them - they were really outnumbered and all these yobs were just pushing them out of the way.
"I didn't see any punch being thrown but it was disgusting the way they treated the police."
A girl who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault has been released on bail.A girl who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault has been released on bail.
CCTV footage
Two men, aged 34 and 38 and both from South Norwood, south London, have been arrested on suspicion of assault and violent disorder.Two men, aged 34 and 38 and both from South Norwood, south London, have been arrested on suspicion of assault and violent disorder.
Police said the girl initially picked up the fast food wrapper when asked by the patrolling officers, but immediately dropped it again sparking the confrontation.Police said the girl initially picked up the fast food wrapper when asked by the patrolling officers, but immediately dropped it again sparking the confrontation.
The officers, aged 34 and 29, suffered bruising and knee injuries and are currently on sick leave. Both officers, aged 34 and 29, suffered bruising and knee injuries and the officer who received the bite wound required hospital treatment.
The officer who received the bite wound required hospital treatment. Police have been examining CCTV footage from the area.
Officers have been examining CCTV footage from the area.
Insp Simon Ellingham said: "We have heard from several retailers in the area who were horrified at the level of violence used by the crowd against the officers."Insp Simon Ellingham said: "We have heard from several retailers in the area who were horrified at the level of violence used by the crowd against the officers."