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Mob attacks officers over litter | Mob attacks officers over litter |
(about 3 hours later) | |
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. The two officers are currently on sick leave. | |
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. |
Both officers, aged 34 and 29, suffered bruising and knee injuries and the officer who received the bite wound required hospital treatment. | |
Police 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." |