Priti Patel condemns ‘shocking’ attack on police officer who suffered fractured skull and eye socket

Priti Patel condemns ‘shocking’ attack on police officer, 46, who suffered a fractured skull and eye socket after being attacked while responding to 999 call

  • Priti Patel has condemned ‘shocking’ attack on police officer on Friday afternoon
  • Officer was taken to hospital for ‘serious injuries’ after responding to incident 
  • Relative said they suffered fractured skull and eye socket and was ‘in a bad way’
  • Police said they are in a non-life-threatening condition and are recovering well
  • 15-year-old and 23-year-old were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm

Priti Patel has condemned a ‘shocking’ attack on a 46-year-old police officer who suffered a fractured skull and eye socket. 

The married father-of-three was responding to a 999 call in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire on Friday afternoon. 

The officer was taken to hospital with ‘serious injuries’ and is in a non-life-threatening condition and recovering well, according to police.    

The Home Secretary said: ‘A shocking and senseless attack on a police officer yesterday. 

‘Assaulting our frontline emergency services is totally unacceptable. Wishing the officer a speedy recovery.’ 

Priti Patel (pictured) has condemned a ‘shocking’ attack on a 46-year-old police officer who suffered a fractured skull and eye socket

A relative told The Sun that the officer suffered a fractured skull and eye socket and was ‘in a bad way’. 

The officer had been responding to reports of an assault at a college on West Common Lane in Scunthorpe, shortly after 2.40pm on Friday. 

A 15-year-old and 23-year-old were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and have since been bailed.  

Detective Chief Inspector Craig Nicholson said in a statement: ‘Our investigation remains ongoing into this incident and we will be following every enquiry to establish the full circumstances. 

‘We wish to thank the public for the warm wishes towards our officer; they are very much appreciated.’ 

A relative said that the officer suffered a fractured skull and eye socket and was 'in a bad way', while police said in a statement the officer is in a non-life-threatening condition and is recovering well

A relative said that the officer suffered a fractured skull and eye socket and was ‘in a bad way’, while police said in a statement the officer is in a non-life-threatening condition and is recovering well 

Two Humberside Police officers were in attendance at the premises responding to another incident when the reported assault happened. 

Police said it was an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the public, adding that a scene guard remains in place while they continue with their enquiries.  

The police officer was allegedly battered by the 23-year-old after he tried to break up a fight involving a 15-year-old.   

A family member told The Sun that the officer had served with the Humberside force for more than 20 years and believes that ‘he is conscious’. 

The relative said: ‘He had been called into a college to make an arrest, and one of the lad’s mates or relatives, he had been talking to, joined in.’  

They added that they believe the officer is going to be okay, but is in a bad way now. 

A 15-year-old and 23-year-old were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and have since been bailed

A 15-year-old and 23-year-old were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and have since been bailed

In a statement on Friday, a Humberside Police spokesperson said: ‘A police officer is currently in hospital being treated for serious injuries, following an assault reported at an education premises in Scunthorpe at 2.40pm this afternoon, Friday 14 May. 

‘Two of our officers were in attendance at the premises responding to another incident when the reported assault occurred. 

‘A 15-year-old boy and 23-year-old man remain in custody on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. 

‘This is an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the public.

‘A scene guard remains in place whilst we continue to progress our enquiries.’

In an updated statement on Saturday, police said: ‘Following on from our previous statement, the police officer who suffered serious injuries to his head and was taken to hospital yesterday (Friday 14 May), is in a non-life-threatening condition and is recovering well.

‘It was reported that the officer had been assaulted whilst responding to an emergency call on West Common Lane, Scunthorpe.

‘The 15-year-old and 23-year-old arrested in connection with the incident have since been bailed.’