Officer bottled during arrest sustained 22 stitches to his head

A Metropolitan Police Service officer was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a glass bottle was thrown at his head. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday (January 7), following reports of an altercation between security door staff and a group of young men. Chief Superintendent Richard Wood said the officer, who is now in a stable condition, had to have 22 stitches on his head to close the wound. Officers were called to a dispute outside Stockwell bar in Lambeth at around 12.48am, and one 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder. A male officer – aged in his thirties – remained at the scene to take statements, when some members of the group who were involved in the initial altercation returned. As the officer attempted to detain a male from the group, a bottle was thrown at his head, seriously injuring him. He was taken to a south London hospital where he was treated for the head injury. Following the attack on the officer, four males aged between 17 and 18 were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder. One has been bailed in relation to the initial altercation, while the remaining three were released with no further action to be taken. Chief Supt Wood said: “This dedicated response officer has sustained 22 stitches to the head after being assaulted whilst performing his duties. “He was attacked as he worked to detain a volatile suspect. His bravery and commitment in tackling this suspect is typical of the hundreds of response team officers in London who work 24/7 to catch criminals and put themselves in harm’s way to keep the public safe. “I wish him a speedy recovery. We have made four arrests and enquiries continue to work to apprehend others suspected to be involved in this incident.”